Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday virtually inaugurated the reconstructed Malan Bridge on the Chillerkhal–Pakhro motor road in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar region.
The bridge, connecting the Kotdwar–Bhabar area to Motadhak, is part of a broader infrastructure push, with seven projects launched simultaneously. The chief minister called the bridge a lifeline for the region’s rural communities. “The reconstruction of Malan Bridge reflects our government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure in remote areas. It will ease travel and spur economic activity in Kotdwar and its surrounding villages,” Dhami said. He also highlighted several large-scale development efforts underway in Kotdwar. These include a ₹135 crore sewage treatment plant under the Namami Gange project, a ₹691 crore four-lane bypass, and the widening of the Kotdwar–Najibabad road into a double lane. Further upgrades are in progress on the Kotdwar–Pauri–Srinagar stretch to enhance connectivity and drive regional growth. Dhami added that the Kotdwar railway station is being revamped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with a new train service launched between Sidhbali-Kotdwar and Delhi. Additionally, a hospital and a new bus stand terminal are under construction. A Kendriya Vidyalaya is also set to come up, following recent cabinet clearance and land transfer.
In a separate initiative aimed at improving road safety, Dhami inaugurated two Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Developed as part of a car manufacturer’s CSR efforts, these AI-powered tracks feature high-definition cameras and automated systems to evaluate driving license applicants without human intervention. The new facilities are expected to ensure a more transparent and standardised licensing process for both light vehicles and two-wheelers. Officials noted that Dehradun’s ADTT, operational since 2019, saw a drop in pass rates from 60% initially to 69% now — indicating a more rigorous and effective assessment method. Transport secretary Brijesh Kumar Sant, dedicating the new tracks to the public, said, “We are committed to making Uttarakhand’s roads safer. With ADTTs, we ensure only qualified drivers get licenses.”
The twin developments — infrastructure and road safety upgrades — signal a concerted effort to fast-track urban and transport improvements in Uttarakhand’s expanding towns.
