Garhwal Post Bureau
New Delhi, 4 Apr: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called on Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar here on Saturday and discussed various issues pertaining to Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister urged the Centre to approve funding of around Rs 325 crore for the Ganga Corridor project in Haridwar city, emphasising its underground electrification and system automation as a first-phase priority ahead of Kumbh–2027. He also sought central endorsement for the remaining approximately Rs 425 crore in the second phase.
Dhami requested comprehensive support from the central government for beautifying ghats in Haridwar, strengthening residential facilities, and developing urban infrastructure in Haridwar and Rishikesh in preparation for Kumbh–2027. He pointed out that these enhancements would provide better amenities to the influx of devotees and tourists visiting the state.
To bolster regional connectivity, the CM proposed extending the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project from Meerut to Haridwar and Rishikesh, alongside developing the Dehradun-Haridwar-Rishikesh metro corridor, which would ease travel between these cities. He explained that implementing these initiatives would reduce dependence on road transport, alleviate traffic congestion, and yield positive environmental outcomes, ultimately linking Uttarakhand’s key pilgrimage sites to a modern transit network to accelerate regional economic activities, tourism, and overall development.
Manohar Lal Khattar assured positive action on the proposals put forward by Dhami. This engagement builds on Uttarakhand’s fervent preparations for Kumbh–2027, anticipated to draw over 40 crore visitors as per State government estimates.
