The environment ministry has granted approval to Zonal Master Plan of Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone to pave the way for fast-tracking the Char Dham road project involving an investment of ₹12,000 crore. It proposes to provide all-weather connectivity to Yamnotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath and has 53 projects of 826 km length. The Union transport minister called for expeditious disposal of all pending issues including completing the land acquisition. He emphasized that this project is of great national importance and should be handled from that perspective. The minister called upon CM to review issues pending at the State Government level, especially those related to the environment and land acquisition, asked for strict monitoring and cautioned against deliberate delays. The Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) for the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, prepared by the Government of Uttarakhand and appraised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has been approved. The ZMP is based on the watershed approach and includes governance in the area of forest and wildlife, watershed management, irrigation, energy, tourism, public health and sanitation and road infrastructure.
