Religious Roadways for Mansarover Yatra route

NH Construction : Status Of Kailash-Mansarovar, Chardham , Buddhist Circuit And Ram-Van-Gaman And Ram-Janaki Routes

Kailash-Mansarovar Route Through Ghatiabagarh-Lipulekh Road In Uttarakhand

The Ghatibagarh-Lipulekh road (G.S. Road with BRO) is under construction funded by

Ministry of Defence. The length of this road is 75.54 kms and it is a part of Mansarovar Yatra

route. The line sketch of road is as under.

Connected

Km 0.00 Km 2.90 Km 29.00 Km 45.00 Km 62.00 Km 75.54

Ghatiabagarh (Gunji Helipad) Lipulekh

The work on this road is being done from Km 0.00 (Ghatiabagarh) and also from air maintained Detachment at Gunji (at km 45.00) on this road. The connectivity has been achieved up to km 62.00 towards Lipulekh and up to km 29.00 towards Ghatiabagarh side.

The formation cutting from Ghatibagarh side also been started and reached up to km 2.90. The work on this stretch from km 0.00 to km 10.00 was outsourced during Dec 2015. Contractor deployed various equipments and work is under progress. The adjacent sector km 10.00 to km 20.00 also has been outsourced but work has not yet started on this stretch due to non connectivity of this stretch from either end.

The formation cutting from km 62.00 to km 75.54 was not started earlier as the Army authority directed that the work on this stretch be taken up once the connectivity is achieved from Ghatibagarh end. However preparatory works for this stretch was taken up in March 2016 and DPR is to be initiated now.

In order to speed up the work on this road, a flat ground at Budhi (Km 20.00 on G-L road) of size 25 x 22 mtr has been identified. Trial landing of ALH Helicopter has been carried out during April 2016. Air Force authority has given an additional requirement for development of this plot which is under progress and another trial of MI-17 Helicopter is planned in May 2016. On successful trial landing resources will be inducted through air lift to have an additional attack point for expediting the formation work.

National Highway Connectivity Improvement Program for Char-Dham in Uttarakhand

This project includes the development of all-weather roads leading to Chardham. (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri & Gangotri) in Uttarakhand.

Seven stretches shown in the table below, leading to Char-Dham with a length of 889 km are under DPR. To enhance the safety of road users provisions like widening of existing narrow & geometrically deficient National Highways to 2-Lane carriageway with paved shoulder, protection of landslide hazard zones, construction of Bbypasses, Llong bridges, tunnels and elevated corridors around 889 km of NH based on Design Project Report is around Rs.11,700 Crore which includes civil construction as well as Land Acquisition, forest clearance & Utility Shifting cost.

· Presently, projects for those stretches which are substantially free from encumbrances are sanctioned to an amount of Rs.750 Crore and tenders are being invited.

· For the remaining stretches, the sanctioning of projects is linked with progress of Land Acquisition and Forest clearances. The time line for Land Acquisition/ Forest clearances/ Shifting of utilities/ Award/ Completion of these projects shall be 2016 to 2020.

The details of stretches proposed to be developed under “Char Dham” programme:

Sl. No.	NH	From	To	Length (km)
1	NH-58	Km 228.00 (Rishikesh)	Km 368.00 (Rudraprayag)	140 (Including 594m long High level bridges at Kaliasaur)
2	NH-58	Km 368.00 (Rudraprayag)	Km 528.00 (Mana village)	160 (Including mitigation measures for chronic Lambagarh Land slide zone)
3	NH-94	Km 0.00 (Rishikesh)	Km 144.00 (Dharasu)	144 (Including 430m long Tunnel near Chamba)
4	NH-108	Km 0.00 (Dharasu)	Km 124.00 (Gangotri)	124 (Including mitigation measures of 3 land slide zones)
5	NH-94	Km 144.00 (Dharasu)	Km 220.00 (Yamunotri)	95 (Including 5000m long tunnel near Sylkyara bend)
6	NH-109	Km 0.00 (Rudraprayag)	to Km 76.00 (Gaurikund)	76 (Including 750m long viaduct near Sonprayag)
7	NH-125	Km 52.00 (Tanakpur)	Km 202.00 (Pithoragarh)	150 (Including 3 bye passes to the congested towns)
Total Length (km)				889

ROCK DRILLING MACHINE

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Buddhist Circuit

Several religions of the world have their origins in India. Buddhism has transcended India's boundaries and has taken root in East, South and South East Asia. Gautam Buddha, born as a prince in Lumbini set out towards India in search of the questions that troubled him about life and suffering. His penance and meditation for years showed him the path to 'nirvana'. After achieving enlightenment, he set about preaching and sermonizing on the middle path to salvation, till he left for his heavenly abode from Kushinagar.

In the Mahaparinirvana sutra, the Buddha tells his followers that they can attain merit and a noble rebirth by going on pilgrimage to the places where he was born (Lumbini), gained enlightenment (Bodhgaya), first taught (Sarnath), and attained Nirvana (Kushinagar).

The Buddhist Circuits include the places of all high significance holy sites of Buddhism; where Lord Buddha was born, attained Enlightenment, preached first sermon and reached Nirvana. Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar are the primary pilgrimage places of Buddhist Circuit associated with the life and teachings of the Lord Buddha. There are numerous other sites where the Buddha and the bhikshus who travelled during his life after his transformation, which are held in deep veneration. Visitors from all over the world can travel through this Buddhist Circuit today, to savour the splendid beauty and great appeal of Buddhism. These Circuits have been defined as:

(i) Buddhist Circuit (Bihar): Bodhgaya-Nalanda-Rajgir-Vaishali-Kahalgaon-Patna.

(ii) Dharmayatra Circuit: Bodh Gaya (Bihar)-Sarnath (UP)-Kushinagar (UP)-Piparvah (UP).

(iii) Extended Dharayatra Circuit: Bodh Gaya (Bihar)-Vikramshila(Bihar)-Sarnath(UP)-Kushinagar(UP)-Kapilvastu(UP)-Sankisa(UP)-Piparvah(UP).

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is developing roads at various places to provide connectivity to Buddhist Circuit. The details of the individual stretches which are connecting the entire Circuits are as below:

I. Buddhist Circuit :

The places which fall on Buddha circuit are Vaishali, Patna, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Kahalgaon and Vikramshila. The Map showing details of connectivity of places through NHs is given below. Following is the status of National Highways which connect the above places:

Patna to Bodh Gaya (NH-83)

NH-83 connects Patna to Gaya and Gaya to Dobhi on NH-2 (125 km). The entire stretch is with NHAI and presently it is a 2 Lane road. The 4laning of the stretch has been proposed under JICA loan assistance. The contract has been awarded and work is in progress. The civil cost of construction is 1232 crore. The total project Cost for the project is Rs. 2264.94 crore including LA etc. The foundation stone of the project was laid by Hon’ble Prime Minister during his visit to Arrah on 18.08.2015. The work is in progress.

Bodh Gaya- Rajgir-Nalanda-Biharshrif - Kahalgaon -Vikramshila (Part NH-82, Part NH-31, Part NH-80)

NH-82 connects Gaya –Rajgir-Biharshrif and Biharsharif to Mokama. 95 km of Gaya – Rajgir is entrusted to Bihar State Road Corporation for its development as 4 Lane under JICA Loan Assistance. Work has been awarded and is in progress. Balance 52km of Biharsharif – Mokama section is with NHAI and is Single Lane / 2 Lane. Development to 2 lane with paved shoulder is being carried out at a Cost of Rs. 442 crore (Civil Cost is Rs. 371 crore and LA cost is Rs. 71 crore).

NH-30 : 4 laning work in Patna - Bakhtiyarpur section has been completed by NHAI and road opened to traffic almost on new alignment.

NH -31: Bakhtiyarpur, Mokama, Khagaria is with NHAI. Work for 4laning from Bakhtiyarpur to Khagaria awarded in two packages on Hybrid Annuity mode in February 2016. Work for Bridge over river Ganga near Simaria may be taken up separately.

NH-80: Mokamah- Munger is completed by NHAI as 2-lane with paved shoulder except Barahia bypass. 4 laning work from Munger to Vikramshila, is proposed, for which, land acquisition is under progress.

Patna to Vaishali

NH-19: It is a 92 Km long National Highway passing through Manjhi , Chapra, Hajipur and Pahari. 62 km of Chhapra – Hajipur section is with NHAI and 4laning is in progress and likely to be completed by June 2016. Balance 30km is with state RCD. From 207.2 to km 222 is 4lane including existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu and from 129.3 to km 143.2 is 2 lane. DPR preparation for improvement from 129.3 to km 143.2 is under consideration. Upon preparation of DPR, the development of the stretch will be carried out to NH standard. Besides this a new 4-laned bridge on river Ganga parallel to existing MG Setu is also proposed.

Kushinagar to Muzaffarpur

Already 4 laned by NHAI under East – West Corridor (NHDP-II) except 2 lane bridge at Gandak river and its immediate approaches and about 18 km near Gopalganj for which work has been re-awarded by NHAI. The work on this stretch has commenced.

Muzaffarpur to Hajipur

NH-77: The length of 63.17 km is with NHAI. Upgradation of Hajipur-Muzaffarpur Section of the existing NH-77 to four lane from Km. 0+000 (Ramashish Chowk) to Km. 46+300 and construction of 16.870 kms new bypass starting at Km. 46+300 and connecting NH-28 of East -West Corridor at Km. 515+045 has been taken up on BOT (Annuity) basis under NHDP Phase-III. Total cost of project is Rs. 945 Crore. The work is under progress and 46.56 Km( 73.90% ) has completed. The work on this stretch has been substantially completed except Muzaffarpur bypass and two ROBs.

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II. Dharmayatra Circuit: Bodh Gaya (Bihar)-Sarnath (UP)-Kushinagar (UP)-Piparvah (UP).

Gaya to Sarnath

NH-2: Dobhi to Bihar UP border is with NHAI. Six laning of Varanasi-Aurangabad Section of NH-2 from Km. Km. 786.000 to Km. 978.000 in the State of UP/Bihar on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (‘DBFOT’) Toll Basis under NHDP Phase-V. Work is in progress. The target date of completion of this section is 31.04.2017. 58 Km has been completed as against 192 KM.

Sarnath to Kushinagar : Kushinagar can be accessed from Sarnath (Varanasi) by traversing through Gorakhpur following the NHs as under:

NH-29 : For going to Gorkahpur from Sarnath, NH-29 is to be followed which is about 207 Km. This NH is with NHAI. Bids for 4 laning from Varanasi to Gorakhpur were invited by NHAI in three packages. LOA in all the three packages have been issued by NHAI to the prospective contractors in March 2016. Project likely to start by June 2016.

NH-28 : For going to Kushinagar from Gorakhpur, NH-28 is to be followed and the distance is about 69 Km. The stretch is with NHAI and has been already 4 laned by NHAI under East – West Corridor (NHDP-II).

NH-28 connects Lucknow to Gorakhpur via Faizabad Basti and Kushinagar in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is about 367 Km. The entire NH-28 is with NHAI and has been four laned in Uttar Pradesh under East – West Corridor (NHDP-II).

Kushinagar to Piprahwa (U.P.): Piparwaha can be accessed from Kushinagar by traversing through Gorakhpur-Pharenda and Tetri bazaar by following the NHs as under:

NH-28 : For going to Gorakhpur from Kushinagar NH-28 is to be followed and the distance is about 69 Km. The stretch is with NHAI and has been already 4 laned by NHAI under East – West Corridor (NHDP-II).

NH-29E : For going to Pharenda from Gorkahpur NH-29E is to be followed and the distance is about 43 Km. NH-29E connects Gorakhpur to Sonauli via Pharenda which is about 98 Km. This road is with UP PWD and is mostly 2 laned. The work of 2 laning with paved shoulder of this NH is being carried out by UP PWD under NHDP-IV.

NH-730 : For going to Tetri Bazar from Pharenda, NH-730 is to be followed and the distance is about 38 Km. Covered under 2L+PS work sanctioned from Km.454.00 to 470.90 and from Km.474.00 to 484.00 of NH-730 in UP. Appointed date recently given.

NH-233 : For going to Piparwaha from Pharenda, NH-233 is to be followed and the distance is about 18 Km. This stretch is mostly two lane and is being widened to two lane with paved shoulder.

NH-233 connects Varanasi to Piparwaha via Sidarthnagar, Basti, Ajamgarh and the distance is about 292 Km. The stretch from Varanasi to Ghaggar bridge is with NHAI and is about 171 KM. This stretch from Varanasi to Ghaggar bridge for four laning was bid by NHAI in three packages. The contractors have been mobilized in all the three packages and works are in progress. From Ghaggar bridge to Piparwaha via Pharenda, which is about 121 Km is being developed to two lane with paved shoulder by PIU Basti, MORTH.

III. Extended Dharayatra Circuit: Bodh Gaya (Bihar)-Vikramshila(Bihar)-Sarnath(UP)-Kushinagar(UP)-Kapilvastu(UP)-Sankisa(UP)-Piparvah(UP).

Bodh Gaya- Rajgir-Nalanda-Biharshrif - Kahalgaon -Vikramshila (Part NH-82, Part NH-31, Part NH-80)

NH-82 connects Gaya –Rajgir-Biharshrif and Biharsharif to Mokama. 95 km of Gaya – Rajgir is entrusted to Bihar State Road Corporation for its development as 4 Lane under JICA Loan Assistance. Work awarded and is in progress. Balance 52km of Biharsharif – Mokama section is with NHAI and is Single Lane / 2 Lane. Development to 2 lane with paved shoulder is being carried out at a Cost of Rs. 442 crore (Civil Cost is Rs. 371 crore and LA cost is Rs. 71 crore).

NH-30 : 4 laning work in Patna - Bakhtiyarpur section has been completed by NHAI and road opened to traffic almost on new alignment.

Gaya to Sarnath

Sarnath to Kushinagar : Kushinagar can be accessed from Sarnath (Varanasi) by traversing through Gorakhpur following the NHs as under:

NH-28 connects Lucknow to Gorakhpur via Faizabad Basti and Kushinagar in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is about 367 Km. The entire NH-28 is with NHAI and has been four laned in Uttar Pradesh under East – West Corridor (NHDP-II).

Kushinagar to Piprahwa (U.P.): Piparwaha can be accessed from Kushinagar by traversing through Gorakhpur-Pharenda and Tetri bazaar by following the NHs as under:

NH-233 : For going to Piparwaha from Pharenda, NH-233 is to be followed and the distance is about 18 Km. This stretch is mostly two lane and is being widened to two lane with paved shoulder.

NH-233 connects Varanasi to Piparwaha via Sidarthnagar, Basti, Ajamgarh and the distance is about 292 Km. The stretch from Varanasi to Ghaggar bridge is with NHAI and is about 171 KM. This stretch from Varanasi to Ghaggar bridge for four laning was bid by NHAI in three packages. The contractors have been mobilized in all the three packages and works are in progress. From Ghaggar bridge to Piparwaha via Pharenda, which is about 121 Km is being developed to two lane with paved shoulder by PIU Basti, MORTH.

Piprahwa to Sankisa (UP) : Sankisa can be accessed from Piparwaha by traversing through Tetri bazaar- Basti- Lucknow- Kanpur – Kannuaj and Bewar by following the NHs as under and by following the state road from Bewar which leads to Sankisa :

Kapilvastu - Piparhwa Border : This Road falls in Nepal.

NH-233 : For going to Basti from Piparwaha, NH-233 is to be followed and the distance is about 88 Km. This stretch is mostly two lane and is being widened to two lane with paved shoulder by PIU Basti MORTH under NHDP-IV.

NH-28 : For going to Lucknow from Basti, NH-28 is to be followed and the distance is about 205 Km. This stretch is with NHAI and has been already four laned under East – West Corridor (NHDP-II).

NH-25 : For going to Kanpur from Lucknow, NH-25 is to be followed and the distance is about 90 Km. This stretch is with NHAI and four laning work of NH-25 from Lucknow to Kanpur has been completed. Some ancillary works of Unnao ROB are under progress and will be completed shortly.

NH-91: For going to Kannauj from Kanpur, NH-91 is to be followed and the distance is about 149 Km. This stretch is two lane and with NHAI. Bids were invited by NHAI for 2 laning with paved shoulder and awarded. However due to default of the concessionaire the contract was terminated. The proposal is now being restructured for widening to four lane, DPR study for which is under progress.

State Road : For going to Sankisa from Bewar, State road is to be followed and the distance is about 18 Km. The responsibility for development and maintenance of this road is with Uttar Pradesh State Government.

Ram-Van-Gaman And Ram-Janaki Marg In Uttar Pradesh

Ram-Van-Gaman Marg (Total length = 262 kms):

The Ram-Van-Gaman Marg in Uttar Pradesh is claimed to be a road connecting Ayodhya to Chitrakoot via Faizabad, Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Jethwara, Shrangverpur, Manjhanpur, Rajapur through NHs namely 28, 96 and 731A. The length of this road is about 262 Km. Details of National Highways covered under Ram-Van-Gaman Marg is as under:

NH-28: This NH connects Ayodhya to Faizabad. This stretch of road is with NHAI. It has been 4 laned under East – West Corridor (NHDP-II). Distance between Ayodhya to Faizabad is about 7 Km.

NH-96: This NH connects Faizabad to Pratapgarh via Sultanpur. This stretch of road is with UP PWD and the distance between Faizabad and Pratapgarh is about 95 Km. The stretch from Faizabad to Sultanpur is presently two laned and is being developed to two lane with paved shoulder on EPC mode. Progress of work is 85%. The stretch from Sultanpur to Pratapgarh is presently two laned and estimate for its widening is under consideration for approval.

NH-731A: This NH connects Pratapgarh to Chitrakoot via Jethwara, Shrangverpur, Manjhanpur, Rajapur. This stretch has been declared NH on 10.03.2015. NOC from State Govt is yet to be received. Distance between Pratapgarh and Chitrakoot is about 160 Km

Ram-Janaki Marg (Total length = 218 kms in Uttar Pradesh):

The Ram-Janaki Marg is claimed to be a road connecting Ayodhya to Janakpur in Nepal, passing through places Chhawni, Kalwari, Barhalganj, Barhaj and Uttar Pradesh/Bihar border in Uttar Pradesh; and from U.P. /Bihar border via Siwan, Chakia, Madhubani, Sitamarhi to Indo Nepal border in Bihar. The road from Ayodhya-Chhawni-Kalwari, Barhalganj - Barhaj –Siwan -Chakia has been declared as NH-227A on 10.03.2015. NOC from Govt. of Uttar Pradesh is yet to be received. Length of this NH falling in Uttar Pradesh is about 218 Km.