A major infrastructure push is underway to overhaul connectivity to Mount Abu, Rajasthan's sole hill station. Official approval has been granted for the alignment of a planned 22-kilometer road stretching from Gulabganj to Mount Abu. Estimated to cost around 225 crore rupees, this new highway will sharply trim the traveling distance between Sirohi and Mount Abu while providing the bustling tourist destination with an essential alternative route. Commuters traveling from Sirohi to Mount Abu currently have to cover nearly 100 kilometers. Once the new road is built, that distance will shrink to approximately 55 kilometers. Saving roughly 45 kilometers per trip is expected to ease daily commutes while offering a notable boost to local trade and the hospitality sector. First conceptualized nearly five decades ago, this infrastructure initiative has cleared a pivotal technical benchmark and now awaits forestry clearances and statutory environmental approvals.
Selection of Existing Gravel Route Among Three Alignments
Before preparing the detailed project report, engineers completed a comprehensive geographical survey across the terrain. A Jaipur consultancy firm evaluated topographical conditions and submitted three distinct alignment options to the Public Works Department. After rigorous technical scrutiny, the state-level technical committee selected the alignment running along an existing gravel road, determining it to be the most viable and efficient option. Subsequent planning and execution will strictly follow this chosen corridor. The consulting agency has been instructed to format and submit formal clearance applications to the forest department under prescribed procedures. Around one crore rupees is being spent specifically on finalizing the DPR. Both administrative and financial approvals for the broader road project have already been issued.
Navigating Wildlife Sanctuary Clearances and Green Approvals
Actual ground construction cannot proceed until full statutory clearance is secured from forest authorities. Because the proposed corridor traverses a protected wildlife sanctuary zone, obtaining environmental and forestry permissions remains the primary hurdle for the project. Under the formal process, an initial no-objection certificate must be secured from the state forest department. Once cleared at the state level, the proposal will be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for central review. Following ministry clearance, mandatory permissions will be sought before the National Green Tribunal in New Delhi to ensure full environmental compliance before earthmoving begins.
A Fifty-Year Demand Backed by Central Road Funds
The push for an alternative corridor to Mount Abu has been an active demand for nearly half a century. Regional Member of Parliament Lumbaram Chaudhary, alongside Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, took the proposal to the central government to highlight the pressing necessity of the road link. In response, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari sanctioned 225 crore rupees from the Central Road Fund to finance construction. This funding allocation has revived an initiative that had spent decades stalled in planning stages, turning it into a funded infrastructure undertaking.
Strategic Link to Delhi-Kandla Four-Lane and Air Force Base
Once completed, the new corridor will tie directly into the Delhi-Kandla four-lane highway, providing Mount Abu with direct connectivity via National Highway-162. The hill station currently relies on the Abu Road to Mount Abu route, which endures heavy traffic congestion year-round. Widening that existing road is practically unfeasible because of steep rock faces and deep valley drops. Moreover, during the monsoon season, falling boulders and landslides frequently block traffic, isolating the town from external transport. The planned highway establishes a reliable second conduit that safeguards transit during seasonal disruptions. Aside from tourists, residents, and regional traders, the new alignment will provide seamless year-round access for the Indian Air Force station stationed in Mount Abu. Moving forward, the timeline for ground execution hinges on how swiftly the forestry NOC and environmental green lights are granted.
