Development projects worth ₹2.25 lakh crore underway in Uttarakhand under the Prime Minister’s leadership
CM offers prayers to Maa Ganga before Cabinet meeting, wishes PM Modi a long and healthy life
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 consecutive years of service as the head of a government symbolise dedication to the nation, good governance, commitment and the spirit of ‘Nation First’. He said the Prime Minister has consistently placed national interests and public welfare above political considerations.
On behalf of the people of Uttarakhand, Dhami congratulated the Prime Minister on this significant achievement and extended his best wishes.
Addressing a press conference after the Cabinet meeting held in Haridwar, the Chief Minister said Narendra Modi began his political journey as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. Under his leadership, India has continued to advance in development, self-reliance and strengthening its position on the global stage.
During Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister, Uttarakhand has received several important development projects. To express gratitude for his contribution to the state, the state Cabinet offered prayers to Maa Ganga and wished the Prime Minister a long and healthy life, Dhami said.
The Chief Minister said that under Modi’s leadership, India has strengthened its identity as an economic power while achieving notable progress in defence, science, innovation, sports and space exploration. These accomplishments have boosted the confidence of the people.
He added that the Prime Minister has consistently prioritised the welfare of the most disadvantaged sections of society. Initiatives for young people include startup promotion and skill development programmes, while schemes such as Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi have been introduced to promote women’s economic empowerment.
Programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission and Eklavya Model Residential Schools have brought positive changes to the lives of millions of people, he said.
Self-Reliance in Defence Has Strengthened India
Dhami said the Prime Minister has given priority to the needs of the armed forces and their personnel. After a wait of four decades, soldiers benefited from the One Rank, One Pension scheme.
He said operations such as the surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm resolve to act against terrorism.
India was earlier heavily dependent on imports for defence equipment, but it is now exporting defence products to several countries, reflecting the progress made towards self-reliance in the sector, the Chief Minister added.
Connectivity and Tourism Receive a Boost in Uttarakhand
The Chief Minister said that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, projects related to road, rail and air connectivity, as well as religious tourism, have gained momentum in Uttarakhand.
The construction of the All-Weather Road has helped make the Char Dham pilgrimage more convenient. According to Dhami, more than 58 lakh pilgrims have visited the Char Dham sites so far during this year’s pilgrimage season.
Following the Prime Minister’s visit to Adi Kailash, pilgrimage tourism in the region has received a boost. Encouraging winter tourism from Harsil has also strengthened the prospects of year-round tourism in the state, benefiting local livelihoods.
Dhami said the Prime Minister’s visit to Mana village conveyed the message that border villages should be recognised as the country’s first villages. This has opened up further opportunities to promote tourism in border regions.
Centre Stood by Uttarakhand During Difficult Times
The Chief Minister said the Central Government had supported Uttarakhand during several challenging situations, including the Silkyara tunnel accident, the Dharali disaster and the rescue of tourists stranded on the Sahasratal trek.
He said the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor has reduced travel time between the two cities to approximately two-and-a-half hours. Plans are also underway to connect Haridwar to the corridor in the future.
Alongside ongoing development works in Haridwar, efforts are being made to operationalise the city’s second medical college soon.
Dhami added that the redevelopment projects at Badrinath and Kedarnath have expanded facilities for pilgrims. The Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects, along with the Saung, Jamrani and Lakhwar dam projects, have also received approval.
Development Projects Worth ₹2.25 Lakh Crore Underway
The Chief Minister said development projects worth approximately ₹2.25 lakh crore are currently underway in Uttarakhand.
Construction of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag railway line is progressing rapidly. More than 45 flight services operate from Jolly Grant Airport, while work is also advancing on the expansion of Pantnagar Airport. Preparations are underway to operationalise the AIIMS satellite centre at Kichha.
Dhami said Prime Minister Modi has visited Uttarakhand more than 28 times. During his foreign visits, the Prime Minister has presented products from Uttarakhand as gifts to international dignitaries, helping promote the state’s local products and cultural heritage globally.
The Chief Minister said the state Cabinet had expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand and prayed for his long life and good health.
