CM unveils development projects worth Rs 235 Cr as part of Haridwar Ganga Corridor
Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 21 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today performed the bhoomi pujan and foundation stone laying of four major infrastructure projects worth about Rs 235 crores as part of the Haridwar‑Rishikesh Ganga Corridor. According to the official claims, these projects, to be executed by the Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Development Board (UIIDB), are aimed at strengthening arrangements for the forthcoming Mahakumbh 2027 and providing improved, safe and convenient facilities to the pilgrims and Kanwar Yatris throughout the year. Speaking on the occasion, the CM stated that the government is developing Haridwar as a modern, safe, well‑organised and world‑class spiritual city. The government further stated that the local residents will also benefit from enhanced civic amenities, while tourism, trade, transport, hospitality, handicrafts and asserted that other service sectors are expected to gain fresh momentum, boosting the regional economy.
At a ceremony held at Alaknanda Hotel, Haridwar, the CM launched the Administrative Route Corridor Development Project costing Rs 43.25 crores. He also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 66.76 crores redevelopment of Har Ki Pauri and Subhash Ghat, Rs 66.34 crores infrastructure development in the northern zone of Har Ki Pauri, and Rs 58.84 crores redevelopment of the Rodi Belwala area. Dhami observed that these projects, launched with the blessings of the saints and the grace of Mother Ganga, form part of a wider vision to establish Haridwar as a global spiritual and cultural city. He emphasised that the government believes not merely in laying foundations but in completing projects within stipulated timelines with quality and transparency. The officials have been directed to ensure timely completion without compromising standards.
The CM also claimed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is progressing rapidly in preserving, promoting and rejuvenating its cultural heritage. In this spirit, he reminded that the Uttarakhand government is working on ambitious initiatives such as the Kedarkhand Temple Mala Mission, Manaskhand Temple Mala Mission, Sharda Corridor, Goljyu Corridor and Vivekananda Corridor, alongside the Haridwar‑Rishikesh Ganga Corridor. These schemes aim not only at beautification of the temples but also at providing modern facilities to the devotees and creating new employment and self‑employment opportunities for the local youth.
Dhami described Haridwar as the centre of faith for crores, a living symbol of Indian culture and as the spiritual gateway of Sanatan civilisation. He said Mahakumbh 2027 would be a grand festival of India’s cultural unity and spiritual consciousness, and the government is working at war footing to make it the most divine, magnificent, safe and well‑organised Mahakumbh in history. The four projects launched today are an integral part of this larger preparation. He informed that construction of new ghats and bridges, widening and strengthening of major approach roads and modernisation of traffic management are progressing rapidly. Works include widening of the Bahadrabad‑SIDCUL to Shivalik Nagar road, construction of a new bridge over the Roh river between Jwalapur and Shivalik Nagar and widening and strengthening of the route from Patanjali Yogpeeth to Ferupur. These projects aim to ensure safe, smooth and convenient travel for crores of pilgrims during the Mahakumbh.
The CM added that Haridwar is being developed not only as a centre of faith but also as a leading city in education, health, tourism, modern infrastructure and employment. Construction of Haridwar Medical College is in its final stage, while a model degree college at Laldhang and a health centre at Shyampur will provide better facilities to the local students. For pilgrims, work is progressing on a heliport, pod taxi project and ropeway from Har Ki Pauri to Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples. He also reminded that additional projects include construction of bridges and suspension bridges at Laldhang, development of a game zone under the Shankaracharya flyover, and creation of parking, parks and commercial complexes under the Motichur flyover.
Dhami claimed that, earlier, the Kanwar Yatra was managed only with temporary arrangements, but the government has changed this approach by ensuring permanent and modern development of the Kanwar path to provide safe, smooth and improved facilities to crores of Kanwar Yatris and other devotees every year. He stressed that the government is equally committed to preserving Uttarakhand’s cultural identity and the essence of Devbhoomi. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), strict anti‑conversion law, anti‑cheating law and zero tolerance policy against corruption reflect this commitment to good governance. He also reminded that over 12,000 acres of encroached government land have been freed and more than 34,000 youth have been appointed to government services through a transparent recruitment process. Expressing confidence, he said the resolve to make Uttarakhand a leading state of the country will certainly be fulfilled with public cooperation. He also directed the officials to deliberate with stakeholders on Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj’s suggestion regarding renaming of the Administrative Route.
On the occasion, Minister Satpal Maharaj said that the development of world‑class infrastructure in Haridwar would not only provide better facilities to devotees but also bring long‑term benefits to tourism and the local economy. Cabinet Ministers Madan Kaushik, Pradeep Batra and Ram Singh Kaira also shared their views. UIIDB Managing Director and Principal Secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram shared that special efforts are being made to complete all projects before the Mahakumbh.
Among those present on the occasion were Vishwas Dawar, Om Prakash Jamdagni, Vinay Rohilla, Sunil Saini, Dr Jaipal Singh Chauhan, Shyamvir Saini, Deshraj Karnwal, Dinesh Kaushik, Nitin Gautam, Ajit Chaudhary, Shobharam Prajapati, District Panchayat Chairperson Kiran Chaudhary, Haridwar Mayor Kiran Jaisal, Roorkee Mayor Anita Agrawal, former Cabinet Minister Swami Yatishwaranand, Ranipur MLA Adesh Chauhan, Shivalik Nagar Municipality Chairman Rajiv Sharma, former MLA Sanjay Gupta, BJP District President Haridwar Ashutosh Sharma, BJP District President Roorkee Dr Madhu, State Co‑Media In‑charge Vikas Tiwari, Secretary Vinay Shankar Pandey, Mela Officer Sonika, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit, IG Kumbh Dr Yogendra Singh Rawat, SSP Navneet Singh Bhullar, Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar along with numerous public representatives and senior officials.
