Garhwal Post Bureau
RUDRAPUR, 19 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, addressing the investment grounding ceremony attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Saturday, declared that Uttarakhand had successfully realised Rs 1 lakh crore of investment proposals following the Global Investors Summit held in December 2023. He asserted that the occasion celebrated not just financial commitments but reflected the state’s inclusive development ethos and community-led growth, positioning Uttarakhand as a rising hub for self-reliance and industrial advancement. Projects worth over Rs 1,342 crore were also inaugurated and had their foundation stones laid during the event.
Dhami shared that out of the Rs 3.56 lakh crore in MoUs signed during the summit, over Rs 1 lakh crore had already been grounded, despite various complex legal procedures concerning land acquisition, environmental assessments, and institutional clearances. Later, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was the chief guest on the occasion also addressed the gathering and liberally praised the Dhami Government for this achievement.
Dhami noted that the administration had worked diligently to expedite single-window approvals, accommodate public interest litigations, and respond to queries raised in various statutory forums including the High Court and National Green Tribunal. The CM emphasised that these challenges were met with lawful and transparent governance mechanisms that have enhanced investor confidence.
The CM reminded the audience of ongoing reforms and over 30 policy frameworks, including the Industrial Policy, Logistics Policy, Startup Policy, and MSME Policy, aimed at fostering a favourable investment climate. He shared that a Rs 200 crore venture fund has been launched for startups, and facilities under “Nivesh Mitra” continue to ease investment processes. Infrastructure developments such as the Aroma Park in Kashipur, Plastic Park in Sitarganj, Electronics Manufacturing Cluster in Kashipur, and the Multimodal Logistics Park in Pantnagar are indicators of the state’s diversified industrial push. An Industrial Smart City proposed in Khurpia at an estimated cost of Rs 1,300 crores is expected to be a landmark venture. Dhami highlighted Uttarakhand’s recognition as an “Achiever” in Ease of Doing Business rankings and a “Leader” in Startup evaluations, with over 260 business services now digitised.
Addressing the gathering earlier, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan stated that Uttarakhand had emerged as a dependable and competitive investment destination, ready to provide administrative support through peaceful governance and structured legal oversight. He referenced the state’s proactive handling of environmental impact assessments and regulatory disputes as crucial to unlocking investment projects without compromising sustainability.
Patanjali Group founder Baba Ramdev lauded the state government’s environmentally sensitive development model, pointing to the state’s wellness policy, solar and hydropower advancements, and Dhami’s move towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code. UPES president Sunil Rai emphasised the quality and accreditation of educational institutions in the state and the benefits of collaborative initiatives with the government. He noted the improved connectivity across Uttarakhand and the presence of more than 10 research institutes as valuable assets for knowledge-based industries.
Pawan Agrawal, Managing Director of Naini Papers, announced the launch of their new production facility creating 300 jobs. He explained that the plant uses agricultural produce for paper manufacturing, underscoring its environmental viability and income potential for farmers.
The ceremony witnessed participation from Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Ritu Khanduri, Union Minister Ajay Tamta, MPs Ajay Bhatt and Mahendra Bhatt, MLA Shiv Arora, former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, and other dignitaries. Guests were welcomed by traditional cultural performances. Home Minister Amit Shah also inaugurated several projects and visited an exhibition during the event, reaffirming the Centre’s support in Uttarakhand’s strategic development.
Amit Shah unveils projects worth over Rs 1,342 croreGarhwal Post BureauRudrapur, 19 Jul: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a total of 20 development projects in Uttarakhand, collectively valued at Rs 1,342.84 crore. This significant investment includes the groundbreaking for 16 new schemes worth Rs 1,263.5 crore and the inauguration of four completed projects amounting to Rs 79.34 crore.Among the inaugurated projects are the new District Jail in Pithoragarh under the Uttarakhand Home Department, completed at a cost of Rs 34.49 crore. The Technical Education Department saw the inauguration of new buildings for Government Polytechnic in Champawat, costing Rs 18.00 crore, and Government Polytechnic in Tanakpur, at a cost of Rs 16.00 crore. Additionally, residential buildings for the Police Department across Uttarakhand, costing Rs 10.85 crore, were also officially opened.The foundation stones were laid for a wide array of future developments. Under the Uttarakhand Urban Development Department, central government-sponsored schemes include a bus terminal with an administrative building in Haldwani, estimated at Rs 378.35 crore, and a rainwater management system along with road construction in Haldwani, valued at Rs 217.82 crore. Tanakpur town will see improvements to its drinking water supply system under a centrally sponsored scheme, costing Rs 171.54 crore. The Women Empowerment and Child Development Corporation Uttarakhand initiated the construction of a working women’s hostel in Udham Singh Nagar district, a centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of Rs 126.00 crore. The establishment of a Government Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital at the Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Harrawala Dehradun campus, was also commenced, at an estimated cost of Rs 71.58 crore.Furthermore, under the Uttarakhand Home Department, foundation stones were laid for 108 Type-2 residences at the 31st Battalion PAC Rudrapur in Udham Singh Nagar district, costing Rs 47.79 crore, and another 108 Type-2 residences at the 40th Battalion PAC Haridwar, valued at Rs 42.66 crore. Additional residential buildings for the Police Department across Uttarakhand were initiated at a cost of Rs 35.66 crore, along with non-residential buildings for the Police Department costing Rs 26.52 crore and Rs 14.90 crore for similar facilities. Vice-Chancellor rooms for the implementation of new laws within the Police Department in Uttarakhand were also commenced, with an estimated cost of Rs 18.56 crore.The Higher Education Department initiated the modernisation, renovation, upgradation, and construction of other facilities in various departments at Kumaun University Nainital under the centrally sponsored PM-USHA (MERU) scheme, costing Rs 45.68 crore. The Uttarakhand Housing Department laid the foundation for surface parking at the Metro Pole Hotel complex (Enemy Property) in Nainital district, valued at Rs 42.77 crore. A multi-level car parking and complex near the timber depot in Champawat Municipality premises, under the Uttarakhand Housing Department, was also commenced at a cost of Rs 9.99 crore. Finally, the District Development Authority in Udham Singh Nagar initiated the widening of NH-87 from DD Chowk to Indira Chowk (left and right sides, length 0.900 km) within Rudrapur city’s internal road network, costing Rs 8.13 crore, and the beautification and development of Gandhi Park in Rudrapur city, at a cost of Rs 5.55 crore.These projects are part of the broader efforts to accelerate development in Uttarakhand, following the Global Investor Summit where significant MoUs were signed. The summit saw MoUs worth Rs 1,03,459 crore in the Energy sector (157 MoUs, 8,472 jobs) with a grounding of Rs 40,341 crore. In the Industries sector, out of Rs 78,448 crore from 658 MoUs (44,663 jobs), Rs 34,086 crore has been grounded. For Housing, 125 MoUs totalling Rs 41,947 crore (5,172 jobs) have seen a grounding of Rs 10,055 crore. The Tourism sector had 437 MoUs worth Rs 47,646 crore (4,694 jobs), with Rs 8,635 crore grounded. Higher Education saw 28 MoUs for Rs 6,675 crore (4,428 jobs) and a grounding of Rs 5,116 crore. Other sectors accounted for 374 MoUs worth Rs 79,518 crore (13,898 jobs), with Rs 3,292 crore successfully grounded.
