CM participates in Yamunaghat Sports & Cultural Development Festival in Damta
By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Uttarkashi, 12 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today participated in the Yamunaghat Sports and Cultural Development Festival held at Suraj Stadium in Damta, here. On this occasion, thousands of local people gave him a traditional grand welcome. The Chief Minister actively participated in the traditional folk dance of the Rawai-Jaunsar-Jaunpur region with the gathered villagers.
During the event, Chief Minister Dhami announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the festival’s organization. He also made significant announcements, including the inclusion of the Rudreshwar Maharaj Danda Devrana Mela from Mugarsanti Patti in the state’s official festival calendar, and the construction of a sports ground and helipad at Tikra Top. Furthermore, the Chief Minister assured that a decision regarding the need for a polytechnic institute in the Damta area would be taken after proper evaluation.
The Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for the local community’s efforts in preserving their rich cultural heritage and promoting sports talent through the festival. He assured that the state government would continue to encourage such efforts. Highlighting the government’s focus on sports and cultural activities, Dhami mentioned that over Rs 1500 crore has been allocated in this year’s budget for youth skill development, sports, and cultural activities.
Additionally, the Chief Minister emphasised the immense potential for tourism and pilgrimage development in the Yamunaghat region due to its natural beauty and spiritual significance. He stated that the government is committed to developing the Shri Krishna Yamuna Pilgrimage Circuit, with the aim of creating various ghats along the Yamuna River and organising special aartis, which would create new livelihood opportunities and boost the region’s economy.
Dhami also shared the government’s priority for the region’s development, noting that numerous announcements have been made for the Yamunaghat area. Special efforts are being made to widen roads under the Char Dham All-Weather Road Project, and after discussions with Union Minister for Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari, the tendering process for the widening of the Yamunotri road from Damta has been completed. Additionally, the Chief Minister assured that he would urge the central government to consider constructing a railway line in the Yamunaghat area.
In his speech, Dhami highlighted several historic and decisive measures taken by the government for the welfare of the state. He mentioned the state’s strict anti-copying law and the introduction of a Uniform Civil Code, as well as the strong action against illegal encroachments, resulting in the removal of over 5,000 acres of encroached land. He also spoke about the law to recover damages from rioters who cause harm to public and private property. Additionally, the state government is working on bringing a robust land law.
Dhami reaffirmed that, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on Uttarakhand’s Statehood Day, the state government is committed to making Uttarakhand the best and most developed state in the country, with the support of the people.
On this occasion, MLA from Purola, Durgeshwar Lal, lauded the state’s development under Chief Minister Dhami’s leadership and highlighted the historical steps taken by the government that have transformed the region.
Among those present at the event were District Magistrate Dr Mehrban Singh Bisht, Superintendent of Police Amit Srivastava, Chief Development Officer SL Semwal, Additional District Magistrate Dev Anand Sharma, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Brijesh Kumar Tiwari, Deputy Superintendent of Police Surendra Singh Bhandari, Mela Committee President Bachan Singh Chauhan, former District Panchayat President Narayan Singh Chauhan, BJP District President Satendra Rana, Chaman Singh Chauhan, Sulochana Gaud, Dayaram Thapliyal, and other public representatives and mela organising committee officials.
