Central Government Approves ₹125 Crore Project to Mitigate Landslides in Uttarakhand
The central government has taken a significant step to combat the persistent landslide issues in Uttarakhand by approving a ₹125 crore project. This initiative aims to provide long-term solutions for disaster-prone areas, with an initial allocation of ₹4.5 crore for project planning. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized the importance of this project, which prioritizes five critical locations affected by landslides. The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of residents and improve infrastructure resilience against natural calamities. Read on to learn more about the specific areas targeted and the expected impact of this project.
| Aug 1, 2025, 16:46 IST
Significant Initiative to Address Landslide Issues in Uttarakhand
In a crucial move to tackle the recurring landslide challenges in Uttarakhand, the central government has sanctioned a ₹125 crore project aimed at landslide mitigation. As part of the initial phase, ₹4.5 crore has been allocated for exploration and the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR). Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed this initiative, describing it as a "decisive step towards finding a long-term solution to the landslide issues in the state's disaster-prone areas." He noted that the project prioritizes five highly sensitive and frequently affected locations for relief efforts. These include the Mansa Devi Hill Bypass Road (Haridwar), the Galogi Hydroelectric Project Road (Mussoorie), the Bhuguna Nagar subsidence area (Karnprayag, Chamoli), the Charton Lodge landslide zone (Nainital), and the Khotila-Ghatdhar landslide area (Dharchula, Pithoragarh).
Impact of Landslides on Local Communities
This route is also utilized as an alternative during the Kanwar Yatra, affecting an estimated local population of 50,000. The Galogi Hydroelectric Project Road, located on the Dehradun-Mussoorie route, experiences regular landslides during the monsoon, disrupting traffic and causing significant damage to road infrastructure. In Chamoli district, the Bhuguna Nagar area in Karnprayag is severely impacted by subsidence, leading to substantial damage to residential buildings and roads. Officials have indicated that this region is geologically very unstable.
Recent Landslide Incidents and Ongoing Challenges
Similarly, the Charton Lodge area in Nainital was affected by a landslide in September 2023, forcing several families to temporarily relocate. Insufficient drainage facilities and continuous rainfall are considered the primary causes of these landslides. The Khotila-Ghatdhar landslide area in the Dharchula region of Pithoragarh district is situated along the India-Nepal border. Authorities reported that heavy rainfall and erosion have created a critical situation regarding land loss in the border area. The proposals for this project were developed by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Center (ULMMC) in Dehradun, with approval from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.