Nitin Gadkari Pushes Landslide Mitigation Measures for Resilient Hill Roads in Himalayas

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari announced a series of measures to strengthen landslide mitigation and build climate-resilient road infrastructure in the Himalayan region, focusing on safer and more durable highways in geologically fragile areas.

Addressing a workshop at Bharat Mandapam, the Minister highlighted key initiatives including MoUs with THDC India Limited for landslide treatment in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, and collaborations with Geological Survey of India and National Institute of Rock Mechanics for geological investigations, geotechnical validation and tunnel safety.

A major step includes the deployment of InSAR-based landslide monitoring and early warning systems along a 100 km stretch of the Char Dham Road Project, aimed at improving real-time risk assessment and response.

The government has also prioritised slope stabilisation before road construction in hilly terrain and is using advanced technologies such as LiDAR and UAV-based surveys to improve planning and design of highway projects, ensuring long-term safety and resilience.