By Our Staff Reporter
New Delhi, 1 May: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, today, and expressed gratitude for his guidance and cooperation in the development of Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister presented the Prasad of Kedarnath and Badrinath Dhams, water from Gangotri, Yamunotri, Alaknanda and Mandakini, along with Rudraksha beads, to the Prime Minister on this occasion.
At the meeting, which lasted for more than an hour and a half, CM Dhami sought the guidance of the Prime Minister on various issues related to the development of the state. Informing the PM about the arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra, the CM said that a record number of devotees are coming to visit. Also, relief work is being done in Joshimath with the help of the Union Government. The situation is currently normal there.
The PM assured the CM all possible cooperation from the Union Government in the context of Joshimath.
The CM also urged the PM to inaugurate the proposed Investor Summit to be held in the state in the month of October or November 2023. He also invited the PM to visit Jageshwar Dham, Adi Kailash, Parvati Sarovar, the Om Parvat and Mayawati Ashram in Lohaghat, as well as address the public in the border district of Pithoragarh. Also, to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of various development schemes under the Manaskhand Yojana.
Dhami said that air services are increasing gradually in the state under the regional connectivity scheme at the Prime Minister’s initiative. The Chief Minister urged that the Ministry of Civil Aviation issue directions to the officials concerned for speedy development of air services in the state.
He informed the PM that 243 acres of land is being acquired for the expansion of Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. A feasibility survey has been done for expansion of Pantnagar Airport. The Chief Minister requested the Director General of Civil Aviation to renew the license of Naini Saini Airport and to provide a no-objection certificate from NTRO for the expansion of Jolly Grant Airport. He also urged the PM to direct those concerned for smooth operation of the Dehradun-Pithoragarh-Hindon air service and Dehradun-Haldwani-Pithoragarh Almora helicopter service.
The Chief Minister said that a target has been set to increase the state’s gross domestic product to Rs 5.5 lakh crore in the next five years. It is proposed to organise an investment summit in the state in the month of October/November 2023 to attract investors in tourism, agriculture, industry, health, education and service sectors. The Chief Minister urged the PM to give time to the state sometime in the month of October or November 2023 for the inauguration of the said investment summit.
Dhami added that, on the lines of the world famous Chardham Yatra, the Manaskhand Temple Mala Project has also been launched by the state government in Kumaon. Under this ambitious project, publicity will be given to the important mythological/historical sites of Kumaon division by connecting them with the circuit so that pilgrims and tourists from the country and abroad can be attracted and their journey can be made convenient.
The Chief Minister informed the PM that a target has been set to develop about 5 to 7 new cities in the state. In the first phase, there is a proposal to develop a city in the 2000-acre Parag Farm located in Kichha, Udham Singh Nagar. For this, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has been requested to provide funds of Rs 1,000 crores. This green field city will be located on State Highway 47, just 15 kilometres from Rudrapur. The nearest railway station would be Pantnagar. From the point of view of the economy, it will pass through the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor. It is proposed to develop a ‘Knowledge Park’ of 200 to 250 acres near this proposed city. Private investment of about Rs 7,000 crores is expected for the development of this city, which will have a potential employment generation of 50,000 persons and housing arrangement for about two lakh people.
Dhami urged Modi to direct release of the required funds for the development of this green field city.
