CM inaugurates All India Mayors’ Council Meet in Rishikesh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Rishikesh, 3 Jun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today inaugurated the 117th Executive Committee meeting of the ‘All India Mayors’ Council’ held at Hotel Natraj in Rishikesh. On the occasion, he also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for three development projects worth Rs 29.78 crores. These included the inauguration of one project worth Rs 23.15 crores and the foundation laying of two projects worth Rs 6.63 crores.
Welcoming the mayors from various cities across the country, the CM said that the mayors are not only the first citizens of their respective cities but are also representatives of the hopes, aspirations and trust of urban residents. He said that the decisions taken by the mayors have a direct impact on the future of coming generations. He observed that, while the soul of India resides in its villages, the dreams, aspirations and future possibilities of citizens take shape in the cities.
Dhami reminded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a special affection for Uttarakhand and has spent some of the most important moments of his life in the state. He noted that the PM is well acquainted with every region of Uttarakhand. Mentioning the success of the Char Dham Yatra under the Prime Minister’s leadership, he said that more than 30 lakh pilgrims had already undertaken the pilgrimage within the first 45 days this year, setting a new record. He added that the state government’s priority is to ensure that the pilgrimage remains simple, smooth and safe for devotees.
Referring to the growing popularity of Adi Kailash, he said that while, earlier, only around 500 people visited the site, nearly 1,000 pilgrims are now reaching there every day since the commencement of this year’s yatra. He further stated that 24 lakh devotees had already paid obeisance at the Maa Purnagiri Temple and that more than 23 crore tourists had visited Uttarakhand during the past four years.
The CM asserted that unprecedented work is being undertaken in the field of urban development across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that the Swachh Bharat Mission has fostered a new culture of cleanliness in cities across India, while the Smart Cities Mission is creating models of modern and well-planned urban development. Through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the dream of home ownership has been fulfilled for lakhs of poor families, and the Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi Yojana has helped street vendors become self-reliant.
Dhami also asserted that, under the PM’s guidance, urban development in Uttarakhand is gaining new momentum. He noted that, under the Swachh Bharat Mission, solid waste management and sanitation systems are being strengthened in every urban local body of the state. Citizens are benefiting from a range of welfare initiatives, including the Smart Cities Mission, Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, AMRUT Mission, the Open Defecation Free campaign and legacy waste management programmes.
The CM further stated that Urban Health and Wellness Centres have been established in municipal bodies for the first time in Uttarakhand to provide accessible healthcare services to economically weaker families living in the urban areas. He added that the state government has launched the Ashray Yojana to provide shelter to destitute cattle and has also introduced the Animal Birth Control Scheme to address the increasing population of stray dogs in local bodies. Effective measures are also being taken to expand green areas and control pollution, he said.
Emphasising the importance of the cities in shaping the country’s image, Dhami said urban centres present the true face of India before the world. He observed that, if cities are clean, organised, safe and developed, India’s image as a strong, prosperous and leading nation will also be strengthened. He said that a clean city contributes to a clean India, an organised city leads to an organised nation, and if every city becomes strong, secure and prosperous, India will undoubtedly emerge as a developed nation.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal said that on the lines of the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Uttarakhand is also moving forward towards the goal of a developed state. He said that the development and self-reliance of metropolitan areas will play a crucial role in realising the vision of a developed India. He stressed the importance of solar energy, waste management, rainwater harvesting, promotion of local and small industries, and the creation of self-reliant urban centres.
During the programme, the CM laid a foundation stone for the construction of EV charging stations at ten locations near PPP Mode in Rishikesh at a cost of Rs 1.80 crores. He also laid the foundation stone for rainwater harvesting works at 12 locations across Rishikesh at a cost of Rs 4.83 crores. In addition, he inaugurated the compost plant and sanitary landfill site construction work at Lal Pani Beat under the Solid Waste Management Scheme of the Rishikesh Municipal Corporation, developed at a cost of Rs 23.15 crores. The CM also inspected various project sites on this occasion.
Among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister Ram Singh Kaira, MLA Prem Chand Aggarwal, Mayor Shambhu Paswan, Renu Bala Gupta, Ashutosh, and mayors from various cities across the country.
