CM unveils Silver Jubilee Parks & projects worth over Rs 36 crores
Garhwal Post Bureau
Rishikesh (Dehradun), 10 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of Devbhoomi Silver Jubilee Parks and various development projects at a programme held in Chandreshwarnagar, Rishikesh. He dedicated Devbhoomi Silver Jubilee Parks developed across nine urban local bodies in Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Uttarkashi districts to the public. The CM also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for seven development projects in Dehradun district worth more than Rs 36 crores.
On the occasion, he flagged off eight waste collection vehicles to strengthen sanitation services in urban local bodies.
Dhami said that on the occasion of the state’s silver jubilee year, the government has resolved that memories of the state’s formation should not remain confined to celebrations alone but should be reflected on the ground through visible development works. With this objective, the government has decided to develop Devbhoomi Silver Jubilee Parks in urban areas across the state.
The CM said that places which once had heaps of garbage and overgrown bushes are now being transformed into green and well-maintained public spaces. These parks will provide better facilities for children to play, senior citizens to walk, women to spend leisure time and youth to engage in yoga and physical exercise. He said the parks would also showcase Uttarakhand’s culture, folk traditions and native plant species. He urged urban local bodies to ensure the upkeep of these parks through public participation.
Dhami claimed that the state government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach every town and every ward. Along with expanding urban infrastructure, priority is being given to sanitation, environmental protection and civic amenities. He noted that all 108 urban local bodies in the state have become open defecation free, while Rishikesh and Haridwar have received Water Plus certification. More than 90 per cent of urban waste in the state is being processed scientifically, and the disposal of legacy waste has made nearly 109 acres of land available for productive use once again.
He also reminded that biogas is being produced from waste in Rudrapur and Mussoorie, while more than 60,000 kilogrammes of plastic has been collected through the digital deposit-refund system along the Char Dham pilgrimage routes. A comprehensive sanitation action plan worth around Rs 1,375 crores has been prepared for 107 urban local bodies. Under this plan, 27 sewage and faecal sludge treatment plants are being established. The mechanisation of sanitation work is also being promoted to ensure that sanitation workers do not have to operate under unsafe conditions.
The CM noted that access to clean drinking water, sewerage systems and robust infrastructure is essential for a better quality of urban life. Of the 151 projects sanctioned under the first phase of the AMRUT scheme, 148 have been completed, providing tap water connections to more than 72,000 households. Under AMRUT 2.0, projects worth around Rs 650 crore are being implemented to extend drinking water supply to 40,000 additional households and rejuvenate water sources and ponds. He said selected cities, including Rishikesh, are witnessing the development of drinking water, sewerage and urban infrastructure projects worth around Rs 874 crores.
Dhami said that urban development can be considered meaningful only when its benefits reach the last person in society. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), more than 62,000 houses have been sanctioned in the state, while over 50,000 families have already been provided permanent homes. He said 35 night shelters are operational for those in need and that more than three lakh people have received healthcare services near their homes through 114 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs functioning across the state.
He said good governance means citizens should not have to visit government offices repeatedly for routine services. To achieve this objective, services provided by urban local bodies are being digitised. Through the ‘UPYOG’ platform, services such as property tax payments, mutation and trade licences are being made available online.
Congratulating the Rudrapur and Kashipur Municipal Corporations for being selected for national awards under Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, the CM said that the achievement is the result of the collective efforts of sanitation workers, urban local bodies and citizens. He remarked that cleanliness should not remain merely a government campaign but should become an integral part of every citizen’s lifestyle.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, Rishikesh MLA Premchand Aggarwal, Rishikesh Mayor Shambhu Paswan, BJP Dehradun district president Rajendra Tadiyal, State Women’s Commission Chairperson Kusum Kandwal, Urban Development Director Vinod Giri Goswami, along with public representatives, officials and a large number of local residents, were among those present on the occasion.
