Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 7 Apr: State Minister of Tourism, Religious Affairs & Culture, Public Works, Irrigation, and Rural Construction, Satpal Maharaj stated today that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on 14 April will bring several direct and indirect benefits to Uttarakhand.
He said that with the inauguration of the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, travel between Delhi and Dehradun will become more convenient, reducing travel time to just 2.5 hours. This will bring transformative changes in tourism, trade, education, and healthcare services in the state.
Satpal Maharaj further stated that the Prime Minister’s visit will be a significant step toward strengthening Uttarakhand’s infrastructure and will project the state as a “development model”. Key projects such as the Tehri Pumped Storage Plant for energy security, expansion of Pantnagar Airport for improved air connectivity, and the Banbasa Land Port to boost India–Nepal trade will help realise the vision of “Developed Uttarakhand 2035”. The Delhi–Dehradun Expressway is also expected to significantly increase the number of tourists visiting Char Dham, Mussoorie, and Rishikesh.
He added that improved infrastructure—including expressways, airports, and tourism development—will create new opportunities in hotels, transport, and local businesses. Enhanced road and air connectivity will attract investments in IT, wellness tourism, film shooting, and the MSME sector. With better access to every district for tourists and industries, migration from hill areas is expected to decline, and local youth will find employment opportunities within the state.
Satpal Maharaj emphasised that the Prime Minister’s visit is not just a one-day event but marks the beginning of a “Decade of Developed Uttarakhand”. The momentum provided by projects like the expressway will elevate the state’s economy, tourism, and standard of living to new heights between 2026 and 2036.
