CM Dhami Inaugurates Rs 9.93 Cr Bridge on Haldwani-Sitarganj Route
Synopsis
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 17 August 2026 inaugurated a 120-metre double-lane RCC bridge over Sher Nala on the Haldwani Chorgalia–Sitarganj road, built at Rs 9.93 crore, boosting all-weather connectivity in Uttarakhand's Terai belt.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the bridge on 17 August 2026 .
The structure is 120 metres long and built as a double-lane RCC concrete bridge over Sher Nala .
Total project cost: Rs 9.93 crore .
The bridge sits on the Haldwani Chorgalia–Sitarganj route , linking Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts.
The project addresses seasonal monsoon disruptions that historically cut off this key commuter and freight corridor.
A 120-metre double-lane RCC concrete bridge over the Sher Nala on the Haldwani Chorgalia–Sitarganj highway is now open to traffic — and for the thousands of commuters who have navigated this stretch through monsoon disruptions, the change is immediate. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami formally inaugurated the structure on Monday, 17 August 2026, completing a project built at a cost of Rs 9.93 crore.
A bridge built to beat the monsoon
The Sher Nala crossing has long been a pressure point on this corridor. Seasonal flooding and weak older crossings routinely cut off movement between Haldwani — the commercial nerve-centre of Nainital district — and Sitarganj in Udham Singh Nagar district, disrupting trade, school runs, and emergency access alike. The new double-lane RCC structure replaces that vulnerability with a permanent, load-bearing solution designed to hold through high-water seasons. The Chief Minister's Office announced the inauguration on X, stating that '120 meeṭar lambē ḍabal lēn ārsīsī kaṅkrīṭ setu kā lōkārpaṇ' ('a 120-metre double-lane RCC concrete bridge was inaugurated') on the Haldwani Chorgalia–Sitarganj route.Dhami's infrastructure push in Uttarakhand's plains districts
Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has led the state since 2021, has positioned road and bridge connectivity as a flagship delivery plank of his BJP government. The Terai belt — flatter, more densely populated, and economically active — has seen a steady pipeline of Public Works Department projects targeting nalas and secondary roads that were historically underserved. This inauguration fits that pattern: a targeted investment on a working-class commuter corridor, timed visibly ahead of the post-monsoon travel season. Uttarakhand's plains districts, including Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar, carry a disproportionate share of the state's freight and daily commuter load. Bridges that hold through July and August are not an amenity — they are an economic necessity.Point of View
Tangible infrastructure wins in the densely populated Terai plains — a politically significant constituency. Bridge projects on monsoon-prone nalas carry low controversy and high local impact, making them effective governance optics. For the BJP in Uttarakhand, steady delivery of PWD projects in plains districts helps consolidate support in a region that holds significant electoral weight relative to the hill constituencies. The broader pattern — targeted RCC bridge replacements on secondary corridors — signals a shift in state infrastructure priorities toward all-weather connectivity rather than headline highway projects alone.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bridge did CM Dhami inaugurate in Haldwani?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a 120-metre double-lane RCC concrete bridge over Sher Nala on the Haldwani Chorgalia–Sitarganj road on 17 August 2026.
What is the cost of the Sher Nala bridge in Haldwani?
The bridge was built at a cost of Rs 9.93 crore under the Uttarakhand Public Works Department.
Where is the Haldwani-Sitarganj bridge located?
The bridge is located on the Haldwani Chorgalia–Sitarganj route over Sher Nala, connecting Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts in Uttarakhand's Terai region.
Why is the Sher Nala bridge important for Haldwani commuters?
The Sher Nala crossing was prone to flooding and disruption during the monsoon season. The new double-lane RCC bridge provides a permanent, all-weather connection for commuters, traders, and emergency services on this corridor.
Who is Pushkar Singh Dhami?
Pushkar Singh Dhami is the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, heading the state BJP government since 2021, with a focus on infrastructure and development projects across the state.
