By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 11 Apr: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Dehradun on a short visit to Uttarakhand, on April 14. During his stay, the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway and lay foundation for two elevated corridors on Rispana and Bindal rivers in Dehradun. Besides this, Modi is also scheduled to address a public rally at Mahindra Grounds in Dehradun Cantt on the day. In view of the large gathering expected during his programme, preparations are in full swing with the state government and district administration actively engaged. To facilitate smooth traffic movement on the day, the Lachhiwala and Asharodi barriers will remain toll-free that day. Orders to this effect have been issued by District Magistrate Savin Bansal.
The inauguration of the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway and the Prime Minister’s proposed programme at Jaswant Singh Ground also called as Mahindra Grounds in Garhi Cantt are expected to draw heavy crowds. Anticipating the influx of vehicles, the district administration has taken measures to prevent congestion in the city and surrounding areas. District Magistrate Savin Bansal has directed that the Lachhiwala toll plaza remains open without charges from 5 am to 8 pm on April 14. During this period, no toll tax will be levied on any private, commercial or other vehicles and the movement of the vehicles through the plaza will be free of cost. Fast Tag deductions will also remain suspended.
The administration expects large number of buses and private vehicles from border and hill districts to arrive in large numbers at the venue. To ensure law and order and maintain smooth traffic flow, the DM has exercised powers under the Indian Civil Defence Code to keep the toll plaza free of charges throughout the day.
Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway and also lay the foundation stone and dedicate projects worth thousands of crores to the state. These include the 1000 MW Tehri Pump Storage Plant, the expansion of Pantnagar Airport and the Banbasa Land Port. Later, he will address a massive public rally at Mahindra Ground in Garhi Cantt, Dehradun. Modi will land his chopper at Ganeshpur in district Saharanpur and then he will proceed to the revered Daat Kali temple at the border of Dehradun-Saharanpur districts and from there proceed by road to Garhi Cantt to participate in the scheduled events.
