By Our Staff Reporter
Rudraprayag, 4 Sept: On a one-day visit to the district, Minister for Public Works and Tourism Satpal Maharaj inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various projects in the Kedarnath Assembly constituency and other areas of Rudraprayag.
At an event held at the Agastyamuni Sports Ground, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects totalling Rs 24.23 crores for Kedarnath and Rs 4.35 crores for other development blocks, amounting to a total of Rs 28.57 crores. This included the inauguration of 9 projects and the foundation laying for 11 projects.
During the event, Maharaj stated that the state government is continuously working for the development and progress of the state under the capable leadership of the Chief Minister. He highlighted that the state government and local administration had efficiently managed relief and rescue operations for 15,000 pilgrims and locals affected by the disaster on the Kedarnath travel route on 31 July. The government is committed to providing all possible assistance to those impacted by the Kedarnath disaster and will establish a travel authority to better manage the Char Dham, Nanda Rajjat and Kanwad Yatra.
He also mentioned that efforts are underway to provide employment opportunities for locals during the winter, including at Kedarnath’s winter seat, Omkareshwar; Badarinath’s winter seat, Pandukeshwar; Joshimath; Yamunotri’s Kharsali; and Gangotri’s winter seat, Mukhuwa.
The minister added that the inaugurated projects include those funded by the Tourism Department (Rs 1.18 crores), Culture Department (Rs 8.70 lakhs), Panchayati Raj Department (Rs 50 lakhs), Public Works Department (Rs 53.46 lakhs and Rs 46.61 lakhs), and Irrigation Department (Rs 76.61 lakhs). Projects for which the foundation stones were laid include various Panchayat buildings and road construction works in Kedarnath Assembly, with significant investments in road and irrigation infrastructure.
Additionally, the inauguration of the Jim Corbett Museum in Gulabrai was highlighted, completed at a cost of Rs 61.15 lakhs. This museum honours the renowned Jim Corbett, known for his role in eliminating man-eating leopards in Rudraprayag.
On arrival, District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar welcomed the minister. The event was attended by District Panchayat President Amardei Shah, MLA, Rudraprayag, Bharat Singh Choudhary, State President of Women’s Morcha Asha Nautiyal, and other local representatives and officials.
Jim Corbett Museum: Preserving a bygone era
By Our Staff Reporter
RUDRAPRAYAG, 4 Sept: Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj inaugurated the Jim Corbett Museum at Rudraprayag at the very site where Jim Corbett had shot the Maneater in May 1926. This had brought a sign of relief to the local community and the pilgrims on the yatra route where the Maneater was operating for over 8 years. It took Corbett two attempts spread over two years to finally get the Maneater.
Museum Curator Anjali Bhartari said that the uniqueness of the museum will be that it will be managed by the community who will work towards engaging community with conservation. Guide walks, a souvenir shop and a cafe with simple local savouries will be an added attraction.
