Kedarnath: After ropeway, now govt planning a tunnel to make travel easier, shorter and safer

The Centre has identified a new 7-km tunnel to improve road connectivity to Kedarnath, cut travel time, and boost safety for pilgrims. The proposed tunnel will connect Chaumasi in the Kalimath Valley near Guptkashi to Sonprayag, which is the starting point of the ropeway that will take pilgrims to the shrine. The move comes as pilgrim numbers continue to surge year after year.

How the tunnel will help pilgrims

The planned tunnel will be a twin-tube structure. It will not only offer an alternative route to Sonprayag but also act as an emergency escape passage during bad weather or other crises. Officials believe this could be a key safety feature in a region known for difficult terrain and sudden weather changes.

Along with the tunnel, the government will study the feasibility of building a dedicated walkway and a pedestrian tunnel from the Chaumasi side. This is aimed at improving last-mile connectivity for pilgrims heading towards the Kedarnath shrine.

Existing route and planned road expansion

At present, all vehicles travelling to Sonprayag and Gauri Kund use National Highway-107. Under the new plan, the existing one-lane road in the Kalimath Valley, which is managed by the Uttarakhand government, will be widened to two lanes. The expansion is meant to handle the expected rise in traffic once the tunnel becomes operational.

Why the project is gaining urgency

As per the TOI report, the road transport ministry held detailed discussions with the Uttarakhand government last week on the proposal. During the meeting, officials took note of the sharp rise in pilgrims and tourists visiting Kedarnath. The footfall stood at 17.7 lakh last year and is projected to reach 25 lakh by 2030 and nearly 40 lakh by 2040.

Safety lessons and ropeway plans

Taking lessons from the Silkyara tunnel episode, the government plans to carry out detailed geological and hydrological studies before construction begins. This step is aimed at avoiding surprises during tunnelling in the fragile Himalayan region.

Meanwhile, the 12.9-km Sonprayag–Kedarnath ropeway project has already been awarded to Adani Enterprises. The ropeway is expected to become operational in 2031–32. Once ready, it will carry up to 1,800 pilgrims per hour, allowing them to complete a one-way journey in just 40 minutes.

Together, the tunnel, wider roads, and ropeway are expected to quietly but significantly change how pilgrims reach one of India’s most visited shrines.