Uttarakhand Launches ₹3,300-Crore Sharda River Corridor to Boost Border Tourism

Sharda Corridor Project Kicks Off in Champawat

Uttarakhand has initiated a major regional development drive with the launch of the Sharda River Corridor at Tanakpur in Champawat district. The initiative is positioned as a long-term investment in infrastructure, religious tourism, and local economic growth along the India–Nepal frontier.

Foundation Ceremony and Policy Intent

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami formally commenced the project, describing it as a flagship commitment intended to accelerate development in border areas. He emphasised that the corridor is designed to expand tourism circuits, encourage cultural activities, and generate employment opportunities for residents, particularly young job seekers.

Investment Size and Initial Works

The proposed corridor will cover roughly 200 square kilometres within Champawat district, with an estimated outlay of about ₹3,300 crore. Early-stage works already underway include:

• Redevelopment of Sharda Ghat with an investment of approximately ₹10.7 crore

• Phase-I construction of the Tanakpur drainage network costing around ₹66 crore

• Commissioning of a helipad at Chuka to improve access

• Development of a multi-level parking facility to manage visitor inflow

These components aim to upgrade urban services while preparing the region for higher tourist traffic.

Tourism and Activity-Oriented Development

Planning for the corridor includes adventure and pilgrimage-oriented amenities. Proposed features involve regulated river-rafting stretches on the Sharda River and paragliding sites to diversify the tourism portfolio. Authorities also intend to extend the duration and scale of the Purnagiri fair so that visitor activity is spread across more months of the year, supporting continuous local commerce.

Linkage with Statewide Heritage Initiatives

The corridor is expected to complement ongoing conservation and infrastructure efforts at prominent religious destinations across Uttarakhand, including Devidhura, Bageshwar, Jageshwar, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, and the Goljyu temple. By integrating access roads, amenities, and visitor facilities, the state aims to connect heritage preservation with sustainable economic development in hill districts.

Exam-Focused Points

• The Sharda River flows along segments of the India–Nepal border in Uttarakhand.

• Champawat district lies within the Kumaon administrative division.

• River corridor projects typically combine tourism infrastructure, urban services, and environmental management .

• The Purnagiri Mela is a significant pilgrimage event attracting large seasonal footfall.

• Border-area development programmes often prioritise connectivity, livelihoods, and cultural tourism .