Executive Summary:
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' responses to questions regarding road construction, bike taxi services, and road safety in Uttarakhand as of July 24, 2025. It details the progress of National Highway development, reasons for delays in the Char Dham project, the government's stance on bike taxi services, and measures taken to ensure road safety. There are no immediate deadlines or action items mentioned.
Key Points / Main Content:
Road Construction and Maintenance:
* 2,969 km of National Highways (NHs) have been developed in Uttarakhand from 2014-15 to June 2025.
Char Dham and National Highway Project Delays:
* Delays are attributed to forest and environmental clearance litigations, land acquisition, utility shifting, soil aggregate unavailability, contractor performance, heavy rainfall, wildlife clearances, local demands, and contractual disputes.
Bike Taxi Services:
* Clause 23 of the Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025, allows state governments to permit the aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for passenger transport.
* The Union Government has not received any complaints regarding policy conflicts related to bike taxi services in Uttarakhand.
Road Safety Measures:
* A multi-pronged road safety strategy based on the 4Es (Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care) is in place.
* Roads are developed and maintained according to Indian Road Congress standards.
* Safety measures such as crash barriers, rumble strips, reflective signage, and speed calming measures have been implemented in accident-prone areas.
* The Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) project is used for scientific analysis of accidents.
Impact Analysis:
Government of India (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways):
* Impact: Accountable for the development and maintenance of National Highways and for formulating policies related to road safety and transportation.
* Action Required: Continue to address the causes of project delays, monitor the implementation of road safety measures, and oversee the regulation of bike taxi services.
State Government of Uttarakhand:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing Union Government policies related to road transport and safety within the state.
* Action Required: Exercise powers under Section 67 of the Motor Vehicles Act to regulate bike taxi services, address local demands related to road construction, and implement road safety measures.
Road Users in Uttarakhand:
* Impact: Affected by the condition of roads, the availability and safety of public transport, and the regulation of bike taxi services.
* Action Required: Adhere to traffic regulations, utilize available public transport options responsibly, and report any concerns related to road safety or transportation services.
Contractors involved in Road Construction:
* Impact: Responsible for timely and quality construction of roads and highways.
* Action Required: Improve performance to avoid delays, manage contractual disputes effectively, and adhere to quality standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of national highways and transport policies.
Uttarakhand: A state in India where road construction and maintenance are being discussed.
SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT: The Member of Parliament who raised the question about road construction in Uttarakhand.
SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways who answered the question.
National Highways (NHs): The highways under the responsibility of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Char Dham road project: A road project in Uttarakhand facing delays and expansion issues.
Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025: Guidelines that include provisions for the aggregation of non-transport motorcycles.
Integrated Road Accident Database iRAD: A project implemented for the scientific analysis of accidents and the formulation of targeted interventions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 734
ANSWERED ON 24th July, 2025
ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN UTTARAKHAND
734. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the present condition of
road construction and maintenance in the hilly, rural and tribal
regions of Uttarakhand State and if so, the length of road that has
been constructed or reconstructed so far;
(b) the major reasons for delays in construction or expansion of the
Char Dham road project and other National Highways;
(c) whether any policy-related conflict has arisen in the State
regarding bike taxi services due to allowing of non-transport motor
vehicles for commercial use and if so, the stand of the Union
Government in this regard; and
(d) whether any special measures have been taken by the
Government to ensure road safety and to make public transport
services accessible, safe and viable in a sensitive terrain like
Uttarakhand and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWERTHE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is
primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National
Highways (NHs). Total 2,969 km length of NHs have been developed
from 2014-15 to 2025-26 (upto June, 2025) in the State of
Uttarakhand.
(b) The major reasons for delay in construction of Char dham and
other NHs Projects in the State of Uttrakhand are due to delays and
litigations related to forest and environment clearances in various
Courts of Law, delay in Land Acquisition, utility shifting, non-
availability of soil/ aggregate, poor performance of contractors,
heavy rainfall affecting site work, wildlife clearances, local
demands for additional facilities, arbitration/ contractual disputes
with contractors etc.
(c) Clause 23 of the Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025
has provision for "Aggregation of non-transport motorcycles by
aggregators".
(i) Clause 23.1 states "The State Government may allow aggregation
of non-transport motorcycles for journey by passengers as shared
mobility through aggregators resulting in reduced traffic congestion
and vehicular pollution, along-with providing inter alia affordable
passenger mobility, hyperlocal delivery, creating livelihood
opportunities.(ii) Clause 23.2 states "The State Government may, in exercise of its
powers under sub-section (3) of Section 67 of the Act, permit
aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for journey by
passengers".
Government has not received any complaint on policy-related
conflict in the State of Uttrakhand regarding bike taxi services due
to allowing of non-transport motor vehicles for commercial use.
(d) Government in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has
formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road
safety based on 4E's i.e. Education, Engineering (both of roads and
vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care.
Roads are developed and maintained as per Indian Road
Congress standards and guidelines issued from time to time.
Proper safety measures such as crash barriers, rumble strips,
reflective signage, and speed-calming measures have been
implemented at accident-prone locations on highway stretches.
Additionally, regular road safety audits and black spot
rectifications are being carried out.
Further, implemented the Integrated Road Accident Database
(iRAD) project for the scientific analysis of accidents and the
formulation of targeted interventions.
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