New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) On Friday, Uttarakhand's Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, had a significant meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital, during which he invited him to visit Devbhoomi-Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the Centre’s unwavering support in the state's development journey.

Describing the encounter as a courtesy, Dhami thanked Modi for the Central government’s guidance and aid, highlighting that Uttarakhand is reaching new heights of advancement, thanks to the consistent backing from the Union government.

He extended special gratitude for various Central initiatives and approvals, which include financial assistance of Rs 500 crore for the Haridwar Kumbh 2027, feasibility studies for river-linking projects by the National Water Development Agency, and Rs 100 crore for enhancing Chaurasi Kutiya in Rajaji National Park. Additionally, he acknowledged the support for the Naini-Saini airstrip MoU in Pithoragarh and the safe helicopter services during the Char Dham Yatra.

In his speech, the Chief Minister emphasized infrastructure development, thanking the Prime Minister for the green light on underground electric line installations in Rishikesh, the Champawat bypass, the Dehradun Ring Road, and the Dehradun-Mussoorie road project.

Dhami briefed Modi on the advancements made following his earlier recommendations, particularly efforts to position Uttarakhand as a premier wedding destination. Areas like Chopta, Duggalbitta, Patwadangar, and the Sharda Corridor are being developed, while Ramnagar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Triyuginarayan have already become popular spots. A specialized policy for wedding destinations is also being drafted.

Furthermore, Dhami highlighted the establishment of Spiritual Economic Zones in Bel Kedar, Anjanisain (Tehri), and Lohaghat-Shyamalatal, noting that winter tourism efforts have resulted in a remarkable increase in pilgrim visits to Adi Kailash, from 1,761 in 2022 to over 36,000 in 2025. Adventure tourism activities like river rafting, paragliding, and kayaking are also gaining traction.

Under the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, the state is promoting indigenous products via the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand. The Chief Minister also outlined several schemes such as ‘One District–One Fair’, cluster schools, Bharat Darshan, and Uttarakhand Darshan programs aimed at enhancing tourism, education, and rural livelihoods.

In pursuit of better connectivity, Dhami requested the extension of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) from Meerut to Haridwar and Rishikesh. He also sought policy support for establishing defense equipment manufacturing units within the state, proposing industrial hubs in Kotdwar, Haridwar, and Dehradun.

Additionally, he proposed the construction of the Delhi–Haldwani Expressway, asserting that it would greatly enhance connectivity to vital industrial regions like Kashipur and Rudrapur, Pantnagar Airport, and Jim Corbett National Park, while improving logistics in the hilly terrain.

Regarding rail infrastructure, Dhami urged for the swift inauguration of the Rishikesh–Vyasi section under the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail project, alongside the establishment of a road-cum-rail tunnel on the Tanakpur–Bageshwar line, surveys for a new Bageshwar–Karnaprayag line, doubling the Haridwar–Dehradun railway line, and creating a new rail link between Rishikesh and Uttarkashi to facilitate access to Gangotri and Yamunotri.

Dhami also invited the Prime Minister to the state, proposing inaugurations and foundation-laying ceremonies for several major projects, including the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, the Tehri Pumped Storage Plant, the expansion of Pantnagar Airport, and the Banbasa Land Port project near the India–Nepal border, expected to enhance trade and regional connectivity.

Highlighting grassroots initiatives, he noted that over 6,000 homestays have been registered to promote tourism, along with the launch of a free marketing portal, ‘Uttarastays’, to connect locals and visitors. In the horticulture sector, Centres of Excellence have been set up at Chaubatia in Almora for fruit cultivation, complemented by farmer training programs.

Furthermore, under the Vibrant Village Programme, border villages are being developed through the promotion of local culture and handicrafts.

In summary, Dhami reported achievements such as the Mukhyamantri Solar Swarojgar Yojana, which has significantly contributed to employment generation, and the Mukhyamantri Udyamshala Yojana, which supports entrepreneurs through incubation. The Devbhoomi Parivar Yojana aims to establish a digital family database to ensure transparency in welfare delivery.

He also mentioned that the Agniveer Reservation Rules–2025 provide 10 percent reservation for former Agniveers in state services, while the Uttarakhand Jan Vishwas Bill–2026 has simplified processes by repealing over 500 outdated laws, improving the ease of doing business across various sectors.

During the meeting, Dhami presented PM Modi with a miniature of the Maa Surkanda Devi temple from Tehri district.