PM Modi greets Uttarakhandis on State’s foundation day, lists various achievements
Sunday, 10 NOVEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of Uttarakhand on its foundation day, adding that the silver jubilee year of formation of State of Uttarakhand from today started on the occasion. Noting the entry of Uttarakhand into its 25th year of formation, Modi urged the people to work for the bright future of the upcoming 25 years of the State. He said that the journey of the upcoming 25 years of Uttarakhand coincides with India being in its 25 years of Amrit Kaal, implying a Viksit Uttarakhand for a Viksit Bharat. The PM said that the country would witness the resolution being fulfilled in this period. Modi appreciated the fact that the people had undertaken multiple programmes along with the resolutions for the next 25 years. He added that through these programmes, the pride of Uttarakhand will be spread and the goal of a developed Uttarakhand will reach every resident of the state. Congratulating all the residents of the State on this important occasion, he also noted the recent successfully organised event of ‘Pravasi Uttarakhand Sammelan’ and expressed hope that the overseas Uttarakhand people will play key roles in the development of Uttarakhand.
Noting that the efforts of the people of Uttarakhand for the formation of a separate State came to fruition under the leadership of the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he expressed happiness that the dreams and aspirations are being realised. He underlined that the present government is leaving no stone unturned for the development of Uttarakhand. The PM reiterated that the present decade belongs to Uttarakhand and that his belief has been proved in the past years. Emphasising that Uttarakhand is creating new records of development and achieving new milestones, the PM said that the State bagged the first place in terms of Sustainable Development Goals Index. He further added that Uttarakhand has been placed as ‘achievers’ in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ category and as ‘leaders’ in the startup category. He informed that the state growth rate has seen a rise of 1.25 times and GST collection has grown by 14 percent, per capita income growing from Rs 1.25 lakh in 2014 to Rs 2.60 lakh annually and gross domestic product rising from Rs 1 lakh 50 thousand crore in 2014 to approximately Rs 3.50 lakh today. He said that the statistics are a clear indication of new opportunities for the youth and industrial growth and making lives easier for the women and children. He informed that tap water coverage increased from 5 percent of households in 2014 to more than 96 per cent today and the construction of rural roads rose from 6,000 kilometres to 20,000 kilometres. He also touched upon construction of lakhs of toilets, electricity supply, gas connections, free treatment under Ayushman Yojana and said that the government is standing with all sections of society. Stating that the grants provided by the Centre to the State of Uttarakhand has almost doubled, he listed the achievements of establishing a satellite center for AIIMS, drone application research center and small industrial township in Udham Singh Nagar. He emphasised that development projects by the Centre worth Rs two lakh crore are already underway in the State and connectivity projects are being completed at a fast pace. The PM said that the government is prepared to complete the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project by 2026. He further added that 11 railway stations in Uttarakhand are being developed as Amrit Stations and the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun will reduce to 2.5 hours after the completion of the expressway. He said that the development has also put a check on migration.
