PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that Uttarakhand has benefitted the most during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-year term so far. Greeting the PM and citizens on the completion of 12 years in office by Modi, the CM said that the dream of an empowered, capable and self-respecting India is coming true under his leadership. The resolution for the rise of Uttarakhand is also being fulfilled under PM Modi, he said.
In his message, the CM said that the nation is progressing at a rapid pace under PM Modi. “Only someone committed to the upliftment of the last person, like PM Modi can facilitate construction of four crore pucca homes under PM Awas Yojana, free monthly ration to 81 crore citizens, free medical treatment facility under Ayushman Bharat Yojana to 60 crore people and Rs 40 lakh crore collateral-free Mudra loans. In the first seven decades after independence, drinking water was supplied through taps only in 3.2 crore homes in the nation while this number has increased fourfold to 16 crore. Till 2014, only five cities were connected by metro train and now this number has increased to 26 cities. The metro rail network has increased from 248 kilometres to 1,155 kilometres,” Dhami said.
He further said that India is now providing leadership to the world in every sector. India alone accounts for about 56 per cent of the world’s total digital transactions. While it used to depend on foreign nations to fulfill its defence requirements in the past, India is now achieving new heights in defence production and exports. From space to artificial intelligence, startups to manufacturing of semiconductors, the nation is writing a new chapter in self-reliance. The CM said that fulfilling his commitment to women empowerment, Modi enabled permanent commission for women in the armed forces. The strength of such women proved hard to handle for the enemy nation during Operation Sindoor.
“The national vision of Viksit Bharat taking shape under PM Modi’s leadership is affecting every State. PM Modi’s tenure has been historic for Uttarakhand. With the cooperation of the Central government, work is underway on development projects worth more than Rs two lakh crore in the State. The Char Dham all-weather road project is moving forward at a swift pace while the Delhi-Dehradun expressway constructed at a cost of Rs 13,000 crore has reduced the distance and time between Dehraduun and Delhi. Work is also underway on important projects like the Sitarganj-Tanakpur, Paonta Sahib-Dehradun, Bhaniyawala-Rishikesh, Kathgodam-Lalkuan-Haldwani and Rudrapur bypasses,” Dhami said.
Referring to other major projects, the CM said that due to Modi’s special efforts, the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project is swiftly moving towards completion. The Centre has also approved the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail project. Eleven railway stations in Uttarakhand are being given a modern form under the Amrit Bharat station scheme. According to Dhami, air services also developed in the State during Modi’s tenure. With the Centre’s cooperation the Dehradun, Pantnagar and Pithoragarh airports have been expanded. Further, 18 heliports are being developed in the State under UDAN scheme with services having started in 12 of these, he said. Dhami averred that efforts undertaken with the Centre’s assistance have provided a new identity to “spiritual tourism”. He said, “The ropeway network is being expanded under the Parvatmala project. The ropeway projects from Gaurikund to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib will give new direction to tourism and pilgrimage in the State. Priority is also being accorded to renovation and redevelopment of ancient temples along with the Char Dham with the Badrinath and Kedarnath redevelopment projects and Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission being prime examples of this effort,” Dhami added.
