CM Dhami calls on PM
By Our Staff Reporter
New Delhi, 25 Jun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, today, and congratulated him on assuming charge as Prime Minister of the country for the third consecutive term. Dhami also expressed confidence that under the able leadership of Modi, the country will achieve new dimensions of overall development and set new records of success.
On this occasion, CM Dhami also presented a replica of Mahasu Temple to PM Modi.
Dhami urges early approval for Hydropower projects by the Centre
During the meeting, the CM briefed the PM about various subjects related to the development of the state. The Chief Minister said that, for the social and economic development of the state of Uttarakhand, hydroelectric projects will have a crucial role in raising the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). To meet the electric energy requirements, Uttarakhand has to purchase energy worth about Rs 1,000 crores every year from the open market, which is putting an additional burden on its financial resources.
The Chief Minister shared with the Prime Minister that around 24 hydroelectric projects have been proposed on the Alaknanda, Bhagirathi and their tributaries. He urged the PM to get the final report of the Expert Committee-II constituted on the instructions of the Supreme Court with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Power reviewed.
Amendments sought in provisions regarding compensatory plantation
The Chief Minister also pointed out to the Prime Minister that, in view of the special geographical conditions of the state of Uttarakhand, there is difficulty in selecting suitable land for compensatory plantation for the smooth implementation of the road construction project by the Government of India and its agencies in the state. This is because, according to the currently prevalent Forest Conservation and Development Rules, and Guidelines 2023, only non-forest land has been made the basis for the above purpose, in which compensatory plantation can be done in equivalent non-forest land. It has also been provided that in the forest land in the records of the Revenue Department, which is not under the control of the Forest Department, compensatory plantation can be done on twice the forest land.
The Chief Minister reminded that Uttarakhand has 67 percent of its land under forest. As a result, the availability of land for the development works of the state is not adequate. In view of the strategic importance of Uttarakhand, road projects connecting border areas should not be delayed. But due to non-availability of land under the Forest Conservation and Development Act, 2023, for the construction of roads and other structures by various institutions of the Government of India, NHAI, BRO, ITBP, Railways and Army, the forest land located in the state get unduly delayed due to provisions regarding compensatory plantation. The CM urged the PM that,
in view of the special geographical conditions and strategic importance of Uttarakhand, the Union Ministry concerned should be allowed to grant approval to the ongoing forest land transfer proposals in the ‘Notified Degraded Forest Land’ (Reserved and Protected Forests) category. Dhami requested Modi that in view of these technical difficulties, the provisions of the Notified Rules, 2017, for the non-forestry project being carried out by the undertakings of the Government of India should be kept as they were applicable in the past before the amendments in this regard.
CM seeks approval of Doon-Mussoorie Railway Line
In addition, the CM also urged the PM to get the Dehradun-Mussoorie rail line project approved from the Railway Ministry for expansion of rail services in Uttarakhand. He also sought early administrative and financial approval of proposed tunnel projects namely Jyolikang-Vedang -5 km; Sipu-Tola-22 km and Milam- Lapthal- 30 km in the state.
CM seeks Centre’s approval for Multi Model Logistics Park on BHEL land
The Chief Minister requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approval of a Multi Model Logistics Park to promote investment in the state and transfer of land from BHEL Haridwar to the state for industrial development. The CM pointed out that, with the joint efforts of the Government of India and the State Government, Integrated Manufacturing Cluster, Khurpiya, is being constructed on 1,002 acres of land on fifty-fifty basis. The value of the land provided by the state government is Rs 410 crore and all the required NOCs have been received. Dhami sougth early approval of Integrated Manufacturing Cluster, Khurpiya.
CM seeks central assistance of Rs 1,000 crores for Manakskhand Mandir Mala Mission
The Chief Minister also shared with the Prime Minister that, out of the 48 mythological temples identified under the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission, infrastructure development work has started on 16 temples during the first phase. He urged the PM to provide central assistance of Rs 1,000 crores for making these temple routes double-laned for better connectivity.
The CM informed the PM that under the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission, an action plan is being prepared for the development of Sharda Corridor to develop the famous Purnagiri Dham located in the Kumaon region. Under the Manaskhand Mala Mission, a master plan is also being prepared for the development of the famous Kainchi Dham located in the Kumaon region. In addition, a master plan has also been prepared to develop the border village Gunji (Adi Kailash area) located in Pithoragarh as an international tourist destination. Gunji has been divided into six components – art, culture, skill, knowledge, meditation, science and relaxation, to be developed on the basis of the theme of “Shiv Nagari”. In the first phase, under Swadesh Darshan Yojana-2.0, it is proposed to develop Sadhna Kendra, Eco Trail, Resource Centre, Heritage Village and adventure activities in Gunji. The state government has also conducted a feasibility survey for launch of heli-services for Gunji and Adi Kailash and Om Parvat.
