PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj has proposed that Triyuginarayan in Rudraprayag district should be declared a Vedic tourism village. He stated this during a review meeting held at the Tourism directorate in Garhi Cantt on Monday.
Triyuginarayan is known as the site where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married. The minister said that the site holds historical, mythological and spiritual significance and is suitable for weddings with traditional and spiritual elements.
He directed officials to train local youth in various tourist and trekking routes by forming groups and giving them campaign training. He stated that this will help provide employment opportunities to local youth and also assist tourists. Maharaj also instructed officials to speed up the merger process of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN).
He also said that a master plan should be prepared for the Kedarkhand Mandir Mala Mission, similar to the existing Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission. He also ordered strict action against those who create disturbances during the Kanwad Yatra and said the Kurud site should be included in the Nanda Rajjat Yatra. He took note of the poor condition of toilets along travel routes and directed officials to repair them and improve sanitation systems.
The minister also instructed officials to begin early preparations and promotion for the winter Char Dham Yatra. He said that the government-run tourism accommodations are in poor condition and must be repaired. He added that steps should be taken to register the Char Dham Yatra in the Limca Book of Records. Maharaj also stated that fast electric vehicle chargers should be installed in tourist guest houses in the Kumaon region and called for a campaign to register illegally operating hotels and resorts in the State.
After the review meeting, Maharaj told the media that for the year 2025–26, tourism projects worth Rs 48,676.05 lakh have been approved. He said that out of the Rs 5,240.85 lakh sanctioned for Mahasu Devta in Hanol, construction works worth Rs 2,246.76 lakh are underway, including VIP lounge, Dharamshala, Yagya Shala and shops among others. He informed that under the Manaskhand Temple Mala Mission, 28 temples have been selected for development. In the first phase, 16 temples have received administrative approval of Rs 125.25 crore, with Rs 51.14 crore already released and work started at six temples.
He added that projects worth Rs 40.81 crore are in progress under the Kainchi Dham campus development plan. Under the Challenge-Based Destination Development Scheme of the central government, administrative approval of Rs 17.59 crore has been granted. For various schemes along the Nainital-Mukteshwar route, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has recommended Rs 400 crore in central assistance, he added.
