Big Boost to Char Dham Yatra: Twin-tube Tunnel Planned to Improve Kedarnath Access

The Char Dham Yatra is set to receive a major infrastructure boost as the Government of India plans a 7-kilometre twin-tube tunnel to improve access to the Kedarnath Temple. The project aims to strengthen road connectivity, reduce travel time, and enhance safety for lakhs of pilgrims visiting one of the most important shrines on the Char Dham Yatra circuit.

The proposed tunnel will connect Chaumasi in the Kalimath Valley to Sonprayag, a key base point for pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath. The initiative comes amid a sharp rise in pilgrim footfall, which is expected to grow from 17.7 lakh at present to nearly 40 lakh by 2040.

Planned as an all-weather route, the twin-tube tunnel will ensure smoother movement during the pilgrimage season, even during landslides, heavy snowfall, and extreme weather conditions that often disrupt travel in the region. One tube will be used for vehicular movement, while the other will serve as an emergency escape passage, significantly improving safety for Char Dham Yatra pilgrims.

To further support the growing Char Dham Yatra, the government is also studying the feasibility of a dedicated pedestrian walkway and a separate walking tunnel from the Chaumasi side to enhance last-mile connectivity. Additionally, the existing one-lane road in the Kalimath Valley is proposed to be widened into a two-lane road once the tunnel becomes operational, helping manage increased pilgrimage traffic.

Overall, the project is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Char Dham Yatra infrastructure, ensuring safer, faster, and more reliable access to Kedarnath while promoting sustainable religious tourism in Uttarakhand.