Haridwar: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 consecutive years of national service as head of government are a symbol of service, good governance, resolve, and the spirit of ‘Nation First’. The Prime Minister has always placed statecraft above politics, prioritizing national interest and public welfare. Interacting with journalists after the cabinet meeting in Haridwar on Monday, the Chief Minister praised the Prime Minister’s 25-year tenure and extended congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister began his political journey as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. Under his leadership, India has made remarkable progress toward development, self-reliance, and strengthening its position globally. On this occasion, the state cabinet worshipped Maa Ganga and prayed for the Prime Minister’s long and healthy life.
He stated that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India has strengthened its identity as an economic power while achieving significant milestones in defense, science, innovation, sports, and space, which has boosted the self-confidence of citizens. The Prime Minister has prioritized the welfare of the last person standing in society. Schemes for startups and skill development were launched for youth, while initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi were introduced for the economic empowerment of women. Schemes such as Jan Dhan, Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Awas, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools have benefited crores of people.
India Strengthened Through Self-Reliance in Defense
The Chief Minister stated that the Prime Minister has prioritized the needs of the armed forces and soldiers. After a four-decade wait, soldiers received the benefits of the One Rank One Pension scheme. Through operations like surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor, India has sent a strong message of resolute action against terrorism. He noted that while India was previously heavily dependent on defense imports, the country now exports defense equipment to numerous nations.
Momentum in Connectivity and Tourism in Uttarakhand
The Chief Minister said that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, projects related to road, rail, air connectivity, and religious tourism in Uttarakhand have gained momentum. All-weather roads have helped make the Char Dham Yatra convenient. He shared that over 58 lakh pilgrims have visited this year’s Char Dham Yatra so far.
According to the Chief Minister, pilgrimage has received a boost in the Adi Kailash region following the Prime Minister’s visit. The promotion of winter tourism from Harsil has strengthened prospects for year-round tourism in the state, benefiting the livelihoods of locals. The Prime Minister visited Mana village and delivered the message of recognizing border villages as the nation’s first villages, enhancing the potential for tourism promotion in border areas.
Support from the Centre During Disasters
The Chief Minister stated that the Central Government supported Uttarakhand during critical occasions such as the Silkyara tunnel accident, the Dharali disaster, and the rescue of tourists stranded on the Sahastratal route. He noted that the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor has reduced travel time between the two cities to about two and a half hours, with plans to connect Haridwar to it in the future.
He mentioned that efforts are underway to soon start a second medical college alongside development works in Haridwar. Redevelopment projects for Badrinath and Kedarnath have expanded facilities for pilgrims. Alongside the Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects, the Song, Jamrani, and Lakhwar dam projects have also received approval.
Work on Projects Worth Rs 2.25 Lakh Crore in Uttarakhand
The Chief Minister stated that developmental projects worth approximately Rs 2.25 lakh crore are underway in Uttarakhand. Construction of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line is progressing rapidly. Over 45 flight services are operational from Jolly Grant Airport, while work on expanding Pantnagar Airport is also progressing. Preparations are underway to launch an AIIMS sub-center in Kichha.
The Chief Minister noted that the Prime Minister has visited Uttarakhand more than 28 times. By gifting local products of Uttarakhand to foreign guests during foreign tours, he has contributed to giving international recognition to the state’s local products and culture. The Chief Minister stated that the state cabinet, on behalf of the people of the state, has expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and prayed for his long and healthy life.
