# New 225 Crore Road Project to Cut Sirohi to Mount Abu Distance by 45 Km

> A 22-kilometer alternative highway connecting Gulabganj to Mount Abu has received alignment approval, reducing travel distance from Sirohi down to 55 kilometers.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-11-02 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/gulabganj-se-judega-mount-abu-sirohi-se-doori-45-km-ghategi-54648 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Mount Abu, Sirohi, Gulabganj, Rajasthan Infrastructure, Nitin Gadkari, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Central Road Fund

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.

## What this means for you
Commuters, traders, and vacationers traveling between Sirohi and Mount Abu will experience sharply reduced transit times and lower travel expenses.

- **Across Rajasthan:** Road distance between Sirohi and Mount Abu will drop from roughly 100 kilometers down to 55 kilometers. This roughly 45-kilometer reduction will cut driving time substantially and trim vehicle fuel costs.
- **In Mount Abu:** The town will gain a dependable lifeline that keeps vehicular transit moving even if the primary Abu Road route is blocked by seasonal landslides. Local markets, hotels, and daily goods suppliers will no longer face isolated supply shortages during monsoon months.
- **For tourists:** Direct connection to the Delhi-Kandla four-lane corridor and National Highway-162 will streamline road trips for travelers arriving from Gujarat and northern states. Visitors will bypass the bottlenecked climbs and sharp chokepoints of the current mountain route.
- **For the Air Force:** The Indian Air Force installation stationed at Mount Abu will gain a dependable second transport corridor for personnel and logistics. It ensures emergency readiness and defense connectivity remain intact throughout the year.

## Why this happened
Severe bottlenecks along the solitary existing mountain route, seasonal landslide hazards, and five decades of community representation led to the sanctioning of this alternative project.

- **Limitations of existing route:** The current passage connecting Abu Road to Mount Abu suffers from acute congestion and cannot be easily expanded due to sheer cliffs and steep ravines. Heavy rainfall frequently causes rockfalls and landslides that sever transport completely.
- **Five-decade public demand:** Local residents and trade associations have campaigned for nearly 50 years for a shorter connection to Sirohi headquarters. The prevailing 100-kilometer circuitous route imposed unnecessary travel hours and high transportation costs on daily commuters.
- **Coordinated governmental action:** Member of Parliament Lumbaram Chaudhary and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma presented the infrastructure case directly to the central ministry. This joint initiative secured a 225 crore rupee grant from the Central Road Fund under Minister Nitin Gadkari.
- **Pending sanctuary approvals:** Because the road crosses protected wildlife territory, mandatory clearances are required from state forestry authorities, the union environment ministry, and the National Green Tribunal. Work will commence on the ground once statutory legal and green permits are formally granted.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is the total sanctioned cost of the Gulabganj to Mount Abu road project?
The project has an estimated cost of around 225 crore rupees, allocated through the Central Road Fund.

### 2. How much distance will be reduced between Sirohi and Mount Abu?
Travel distance will drop from approximately 100 kilometers to around 55 kilometers, shaving off roughly 45 kilometers.

### 3. Which alignment was chosen by the technical committee?
Out of three suggested proposals, the state-level technical committee selected the route running along an existing gravel road.

### 4. What regulatory clearances are required before ground construction begins?
The project requires an NOC from the state forest department, clearance from the central environment ministry, and approval from the National Green Tribunal.

### 5. How will the new route benefit travel during monsoon disruptions?
It provides a dependable alternative passage whenever landslides and rockfalls shut down the conventional Abu Road route.

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