The Centre has announced a major infrastructure project to improve access to Kedarnath, reduce travel time, and enhance safety for pilgrims.

A seven km twin-tube tunnel has been proposed to directly connect Chaumasi in the Kalimath Valley, near Guptkashi, to Sonprayag, the base of the upcoming Kedarnath ropeway. Officials said the tunnel will serve not only as a faster route but also “as a critical escape passage during emergencies or extreme weather,” addressing frequent challenges in the fragile Himalayan terrain. Alongside this, a feasibility study for a pedestrian tunnel and walkway from Chaumasi is planned to further strengthen connectivity.

Currently, all traffic to Sonprayag and Gauri Kund passes through National Highway 107, which often gets congested during the Char Dham yatra. The existing one-lane road in Kalimath Valley will be widened to two lanes to accommodate future traffic. Authorities will conduct thorough geological and hydrological surveys to minimise risks in this sensitive mountain region.