Home Dehradun Blocked roads be cleared at the earliest: Dhami

Blocked roads be cleared at the earliest: Dhami

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CM directs Forest officials to take up rejuvenation of water sources
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 10 Jul: Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, reviewed the short, medium and long term roadmaps prepared by the Forest Department and Public Works Department (PWD) towards achieving the goals of Strong Uttarakhand @ 25 at the Secretariat here today.
During the review of the Forest Department, the Chief Minister directed the officers to speed up the work being done under CAMPA scheme. He added that it should be ensured that the funds received under CAMPA scheme are utilised in a timely and proper manner. Continuous efforts should be made in the direction of increasing the livelihood of the people from forest resources. Work should be done in a mission mode to promote walnut, bamboo and medicinal plants. Work should be done towards promotion and plantation of more trees like oak, teak and poplar. Dhami also directed that more efforts should be made to increase the livelihood of the people through ‘Pine Needles’ policy.
In the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the officials of the Forest Department to plant trees on a large scale in the state on the occasion of Harela festival. Special attention should be paid to planting fruit and medicinal plants. He stressed that greater public participation is essential for tree plantation. For this, full cooperation of social organisations and people should be taken. Special attention should be given to water conservation and rejuvenation of water sources. Work should be also done by the Forest Department in the direction of construction of ponds for water harvesting. Continuous efforts should be made to reduce human wildlife conflict.
During the review of the Forest Department, it was informed that eco-tourism destinations are being developed by the department to double the economy by 2026-27. Work is being done to make Van Panchayats self-reliant. Efforts are being made to increase resin production. Work is being done to simplify the process of felling of trees located in private land.
The CM also held a review of the Public Works Department (PWD) and during the review meeting, directed the officials that keeping in view the development in the tourism sector in the state, the work being done under the Mandir Mala Mission, the development of various cities and the future possibilities, construction and expansion of roads should be expedited. Along with the technical surveys, work should be done in a planned manner for the development of roads. The Chief Minister instructed that along with road construction, proper drainage arrangements should also be ensured. Special attention should be paid to quality in construction works. The Chief Minister said that it should be ensured that natural water sources are not affected at the time of road cutting. Fruit trees should be planted along the roads.
During the review of the PWD, Dhami also enquired about the preparations made by the department towards dealing with road blockages on various routes of the state due to rains. He instructed that if the roads are obstructed due to rain, adequate and rapid arrangements should be made to make them operational immediately. The Chief Minister said that all old bridges should also be surveyed. The works should be expedited for the settlement of forest land cases going on at various places for road construction. The Chief Minister said that all the ongoing works related to the construction and improvement of roads should be completed within the stipulated time, for this the responsibility of the officers should also be fixed. He instructed the Secretary PWD that whatever proposals are to be sent by the department to the Government of India, they should be made available soon.
During the meeting, it was informed that in the next two years, a target has been set by the PWD to lay bitumen on 3,500 km of road length and to renovate 3,500 km of roads. Dehradun, Haridwar, Rudrapur and Haldwani Ring Road will be constructed under long term plans. The work of the first phase for the construction of roads for the Manaskhand scheme is in progress. During the rainy season, 400 JCBs have been deployed on various routes, these have been connected to GIS, it was informed in the meeting.
Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Secretary Dr Pankaj Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) Anoop Malik, Additional Secretary Vijay Kumar Jogdande, officials of PWD and Forest Department were present in the meeting.