Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 Apr: Over the past four and half years under the BJP Government, Uttarakhand has witnessed unprecedented momentum in development projects through the coordinated efforts of the Centre and the State Government. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, special focus has been laid on improving connectivity in the state. Sources in the government as well as in the BJP claim that in the case of Uttarakhand, the concept of the double engine government has translated into reality.
The government reminds that, at present, work is underway on development projects worth more than Rs 2 lakh crores with the support of the Centre.
The officials also remind that major strides have been made in road, rail, air connectivity, tourism, health, religious and industrial sectors. The all-weather road project is progressing rapidly to facilitate the Char Dham Yatra, while the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, has given a new dimension to connectivity in the state. Not only this, work is also advancing in different phases on the Sitarganj–Tanakpur stretch, Paonta Sahib–Dehradun, Bhaniyawala–Rishikesh, Kathgodam–Lalkuan–Haldwani bypass and Rudrapur bypass. The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail project is also nearing completion. In addition, the Centre has also sanctioned the Rs 48,000 crores Tanakpur–Bageshwar rail line. Eleven railway stations in the state are being developed under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.
The government points out that air connectivity has also expanded significantly with the extension of Jolly Grant, Pantnagar and Pithoragarh airports. Under the UDAN scheme, 18 heliports are also being developed, of which 12 are already operational, connecting towns such as Gauchar, Srinagar, Chinyalisour, Haldwani, Munsyari, Pithoragarh, Pantnagar, Champawat, Bageshwar, Nainital and Almora. The number of heliports has risen from 2 in 2022 to 7 at present, while heliports and helipads together have increased from 60 in FY 2021–22 to 118.
The government has further reminded that the Centre is also supporting ropeway expansion under the Parvatmala project. Ropeways are being developed from Ranibagh to Nainital, Panchkoti to New Tehri, Khaliatop to Munsyari, Har Ki Pauri to Chandi Devi temple, Rishikesh to Neelkanth Mahadev and Auli to Gaurso. Ropeway projects from Gaurikund to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib are set to begin soon.
The officials assert that religious tourism has gained fresh impetus with the re-development of Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines. The Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission is driving extensive development of temples in the Kumaon region. An international-level rafting platform is being developed in Rishikesh to boost tourism activities and generate employment opportunities.
Besides the projects related to strengthening connectivity in Uttarakhand, the government reminds that due push has been given to various other infrastructure projects also. Other long-awaited projects such as Jamrani, Song and Lakhwar dams are progressing rapidly and they promise to strengthen drinking water and irrigation facilities in Haldwani and Dehradun. Work has also begun on the AIIMS satellite centre in Kichha, while AIIMS Rishikesh has launched the country’s first helicopter ambulance service. As many as 226 schools are being developed as PM Shri schools and a smart industrial township is coming up in Udham Singh Nagar to accelerate industrial growth. Border areas are also being strengthened under the Vibrant Village Programme with expansion of basic facilities.
The official claim is that the double engine synergy has thus given Uttarakhand’s development a new pace, ensuring that infrastructure, tourism, health, education and the industry are advancing together to shape a stronger future for the state.
