India
Three years of Uttarakhand government: AIIMS centre, highway projects and rail links among the milestones | India News – Times of India
AIIMS Satellite Center in Kumaon
While AIIMS Rishikesh is fully operational, the central government has now approved a satellite AIIMS center at Kichha, Udham Singh Nagar, which is expected to become operational next year. This facility aims to improve healthcare accessibility for residents of Kumaon and Terai. Moreover, the central government has allotted 100 MBBS seats for a new medical college in Haridwar and approved another 100 seats for Almora Medical College, adding 200 medical seats in the last two years.
Highway will shorten travel time
With central support the Delhi-Dehradun Highway is making rapid progress. A notable feature is the elevated road section through Rajaji National Park, which is nearing completion. This expressway will reduce the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from the current five to six hours to about two and a half hours. The central government has also approved the Najibabad-Afzalgarh bypass to shorten the distances between Garhwal and Kumaon. Over the past three years, rural road construction in Uttarakhand has increased dramatically, with the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana adding 519 new roads spanning 1,481 km and connecting 35 villages that previously did not have road access.
Rail connectivity gets a boost
The central government aims to complete the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag strategic railway line by 2026, with track construction to begin soon. Efforts are also being made to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) for other railway lines including Bageshwar-Tanakpur and Rishikesh-Uttarkashi. Eleven railway stations in Uttarakhand – including Dehradun, Haridwar and Kathgodam – will be transformed into Amrit stations under the new fiscal, which allocates Rs 5,131 crore for railway projects in the state.
National Games after success of the G20
Following Uttarakhand’s success in hosting four G20 meetings, which showcased the culture, cuisine and spiritual heritage of Uttarakhand, the central government has chosen the state to host the National Games in January-February next year. The event is expected to boost sports infrastructure and showcase Uttarakhand at the national level.
Lively village program for border areas
The central government has included 51 Uttarakhand villages along the borders of Nepal and China under its Vibrant Village Programme. These villages, located in five development blocks spread across three border districts, will see 510 development projects with an investment of Rs 758 crore. The state has also received approval for over 18,000 additional houses under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (Gramin).
Hydropower projects for regional benefit
The Central Cabinet has given the go-ahead to the Lakhwar multi-purpose project, which will provide irrigation to around 34,000 hectares, produce 300 MW of hydropower and supply drinking water to six states, including Uttarakhand and Delhi. The much-awaited Jamrani dam project in Kumaon has also received approval, indicating progress in water management.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi once declared that the next decade will belong to Uttarakhand. Following this vision, the central government provides full support to the development of the state. With significant central support, Uttarakhand is building a robust infrastructure network. of Uttarakhand express their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
