Garhwal Post Bureau
Champawat, 5 Jul: On Sunday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami performed the ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony and foundation stone laying ceremony for two important flood protection projects in Boomghat, Champawat. The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of a flood protection embankment on the banks of the Sharda River from Boom to Tanakpur at a cost of Rs 60.21 crore and for the construction of a flood protection wall on the Huddi River to protect the village of Chhinigoth in Purnagiri tehsil at a cost of Rs 5.74 crore.
On arrival at the programme, the Chief Minister was accorded a warm welcome by the women of the local self-help group and the residents of the area with traditional tika, patka, Kumaoni cap, flower shower and Chholiya dance.
Before reaching the venue of the programme, the Chief Minister conducted a site inspection of the flood protection construction works being carried out on the Sharda River and took stock of the progress of the works and instructed the concerned officials to complete the construction work with quality and timeliness.
During the programme, the Chief Minister interacted with temple management committees, ex-servicemen, public representatives, Khirwari tribal group, trade board, farmers, voluntary organisations and representatives of various social classes.
The Chief Minister also inspected the departmental stalls set up under the Seva Pakhwada. At the stalls set up by various departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Women and Child Development, Health, Social Welfare, NRLM, the Chief Minister took information about the schemes and directed the officials to ensure that the benefits of public welfare schemes reach the last person. At the stall of the Women Self Help Group, the Chief Minister prepared roti and chutney in the traditional way with the local women, which led to special enthusiasm among the women.
The Chief Minister’s easygoing and straightforward demeanour captivated those present.
At the health camp, the Chief Minister also distributed nutrition kits to five beneficiaries under the Nikshay Yojana and inquired about the progress of public welfare schemes run by various departments.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that the Sharda embankment is not just a construction project, but a strong foundation for the secure future of future generations and the overall development of the region. He said that the Maa Sharda River is the basis of life and livelihood for millions of families. Where there is water, there is life.
The Chief Minister said that whenever he gets the opportunity to visit Maa Purnagiri Dham, the affection of the people there makes him feel like family. He said that the trust of the people of Champawat is his greatest strength.
He said that the state government is committed to giving the region a new spiritual, cultural, and tourism identity through the Sharda Corridor project. Under this project, which is being developed at a cost of approximately Rs 3,300 crore, several religious and tourist destinations, including the Sharda River Front, are being developed from Tanakpur to Banbasa.
The Chief Minister said that to provide world-class sports facilities to the state’s daughters, a women’s sports college is being established at a cost of approximately Rs 257 crore and a modern science center at a cost of Rs 58.52 crore. Continuous efforts are also being made to develop agricultural colleges, cow shelters, and increase farmers’ incomes through modern agricultural techniques.
He said that by assimilating the mantra of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of development as well as heritage, many religious places including Maa Purnagiri Dham, Sharda Corridor, Goljju Corridor and Maa Varahi Dham are being developed under the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission, which will promote religious tourism and create new employment and self-employment opportunities for the local youth.
The Chief Minister added that a modern ISBT is being constructed in Tanakpur at a cost of approximately Rs 237.74 crore, and a media centre is being constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 14 crore. Additionally, work is progressing rapidly towards establishing a residential building for environmental friends in Lohaghat, a military memorial in Banbasa, and a military multipurpose centre in Pati.
He said that the projects whose foundation stone was laid today are not just construction works but are a strong foundation for a developed Champawat, a secure future and a prosperous Uttarakhand.
During the programme, the Chief Minister met the officials and workers of the BJP and also interacted with representatives of various social classes of Purnagiri and Banbasa areas.
On this occasion, BJP District President Govind Samant, District Panchayat President Anand Singh Adhikari, Block Chief Aanchal Bora, District General Secretary Mukesh Kalkhudiya, MLA representatives Prakash Tiwari and Deepak Rajwar, District Incharge Gunjan Sukhija, District Co-Incharge Himanshu Bisht, Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav, Chief Development Officer GS Khati along with public representatives, departmental officers, employees and a large number of villagers and beneficiaries were also present.
