Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM's visit to Uttaranchal

During his visit to Haridwar and Dehra Dun, the Prime Minister had discussions with Chief Minister on a number of issues relating to the development of the State.

The Prime Minister agreed to support the following projects with necessary financial assistance from the Government of India:

1. In view of the forthcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in 2010, the Government of India will provide an assistance of Rs.100 crore beginning from the next financial year(2007 -08) itself so that preparations can be made well in time.

2. The state was worried about the termination of the Concessional Industrial Package (CIP) for the state which was just beginning to show results. The Prime Minister announced that the CIP has been extended and Uttaranchal would benefit from this package immensely.

3. On the issue of passing on external assistance to the state on a 90: 1 0 basis, the Prime Minister agreed that the state had a valid point and that the Finance Ministry is considering it sympathetically.

4. The work on the AIIMS has been expedited and a project for Rs.332 crores has been approved. This would soon become a reality.

5. 1872 Anganwadi centers and 2676 mini Anganwadies have been sanctioned for Uttaranchal.

6. The Dehra Dun -Delhi Highway is the most important route into the state. Six-laning of this highway is being taken up by NHAI.

7. Construction work on the direct Muzaffarnagar �Haridwar (via Roorkee) Railway line will begin as this will shorten the travel time in this route.

8. The Kathgodam -Dehradun express which links Kumaon and Garhwal will be made a daily train.

9. Work on the Khicha -Khatima Rail line will begin once the state government hands over the land to Railways.

10. Recognizing that drinking water is a major problem in hilly areas, all flexibilities will be used to provide drinking water facilities in remote hilly habitations. Government of India will support drinking water schemes for the Danda Nagroja and Munljaneshwar group of villages in PauriGarahwal, Ghanta Karan group of villages in Tehri Garhwal and Doram and Saryu -Belakh -Dania group of villages in Almora costing Rs. 100 crores on a shared basis. They will be completed in a time bound manner.

11. Road connectivity in this hilly state needs improvement.Roads along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-China border will be developed to help remote villages there.

12. The Kailash-Mansarover Yatra route will be developed with better camping sites and facilities.

13. Rs.34 lakhs has been released for improving Madrasas and more will be given soon.

14. For the Sanskrit University,Rs 5 crores has been provided in the B.E.

15. The Government of India will set up a High level Group under the Water Resources Minister to move forward the Kishau and Lakhwar - Vyasi dam projects.