How is HM Amit Shah Recognizing the Dhami Government's Achievement of Rs 1 Lakh Crore Investments in Uttarakhand?

Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, July 19 (NationPress) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday commended the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government for achieving what he termed a “remarkable feat of governance, commitment, and execution.”

During the grand Uttarakhand Nivesh (Investment) Utsav 2025 at the Sports Stadium in Rudrapur, Shah praised the state for successfully grounding investment projects exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore, just 18 months after signing MoUs amounting to Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023.

He characterized Uttarakhand as pivotal to India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047, asserting that the Dhami government is working with “transparency in policy, speed in implementation, and a vision for long-term development.”

The occasion served not only to celebrate investments but also to demonstrate political will and effective governance.

He applauded the Dhami government’s determination to turn investment pledges into reality. “When I attended the summit in 2023, I told the Chief Minister that the real test will not be in signing MoUs, but in grounding them. Today, despite all odds, Rs 1 lakh crore worth of investments are now on the ground. That is real leadership,” Shah declared, to the applause of industry leaders, officials, and public representatives.

The grounded projects are anticipated to create over 81,000 direct jobs, while related industries and support systems could yield an additional 2.5 lakh indirect employment opportunities, marking a crucial stride towards industrial self-sufficiency in the hilly region.

On this occasion, Shah also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 20 development projects worth Rs 1,342.84 crore. These projects include new correctional facilities, technical institutes, police housing, multi-level parking, enhanced road networks, a working women’s hostel, and a cutting-edge homoeopathic medical college. These initiatives, spanning various districts, aim to enhance urban and rural infrastructure while fortifying education, security, and public services.

The Home Minister further highlighted India's economic ascent under the Modi government over the last decade, citing extraordinary improvements in infrastructure, including national highways, rail electrification, new airports, and rural roads.

Shah noted that India, which stood as the world’s 11th largest economy during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s era, has now ascended to the 4th largest economy globally, with a trajectory to climb to third place by 2027.

He attributed this to Prime Minister Modi’s balanced vision, ensuring that the poor are not left behind even as infrastructure reaches new heights. Citing the example of over 25 crore Indians lifted out of poverty, Shah enumerated significant welfare achievements such as five kilograms of free ration to the poor, five lakh rupees of free medical care under Ayushman Bharat, clean drinking water through tap connections to 16 crore households, construction of 12 crore toilets, 13 crore LPG connections, and electricity to three crore homes.

Returning to Uttarakhand, Shah stated, “A developed India by 2047 is only possible if states like Uttarakhand also achieve developed-state status. This land of Char Dham, Panch Kedar, and Panch Prayag is not only spiritually significant but also strategically crucial to India’s overall development.”

He assured that the central government would spare no effort in supporting Uttarakhand’s advancement. Emphasizing infrastructure commitments, he recounted how the Centre defended the All-Weather Road project in the Supreme Court, ensuring year-round access to pilgrimage routes. He also mentioned the ropeway projects for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib, which are set to revolutionize the state’s tourism and logistics landscape.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, welcoming Shah and addressing the audience, said the Rs 1 lakh crore grounded investments exemplify Uttarakhand’s potential and policy transformation. “This is not merely about money; it signifies the inclusive growth of our state. It reflects our state’s burgeoning entrepreneurship, dynamic investment ecosystem, and public participation,” he remarked.

CM Dhami emphasized that the projects grounded thus far encompass energy, industry, housing, tourism, education, and allied sectors. He noted that Uttarakhand has already made its presence felt in national rankings for ease of doing business and startup performance and is swiftly progressing towards becoming an industrial hub that aligns with ecological balance and sustainable development.

The Chief Minister highlighted the state’s policy ecosystem, which includes over 30 dedicated sectoral policies covering MSMEs, logistics, startups, wellness, film production, and more. He revealed that new-age infrastructure such as the Aroma Park in Kashipur, the Plastic Park in Sitarganj, and an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster are now operational.

He also outlined future-ready initiatives like the Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Pantnagar and the proposed Industrial Smart City in Khurpia Farm, which is being developed with an estimated investment of over Rs 1,300 crore.

Dhami announced the launch of a Rs 200 crore venture fund to bolster startups, along with over 260 business services now available online to streamline approvals and cut red tape.

Echoing the theme of holistic development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the Centre has allocated Uttarakhand over Rs 1.86 lakh crore in the last decade, which is more than 3.5 times the assistance provided in previous decades. This includes Rs 31,000 crore for roads, Rs 40,000 crore for rail projects, and Rs 100 crore for aviation infrastructure.

“This is the Modi government’s commitment to cooperative federalism and robust states,” he remarked.

Industry leaders and stakeholders also shared their insights during the event. Baba Ramdev, founder of Patanjali Group, referred to Uttarakhand as “the crown of Bharat Mata” and expressed confidence in its future leadership in wellness, organic farming, and renewable energy.

He praised the Dhami government for its progressive wellness policy and for advancing solar and hydropower initiatives, along with the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the state.

Dr. Sunil Rai, President of UPES, highlighted the transformation in the education sector, improved connectivity, and the availability of world-class research facilities in Uttarakhand, making the state a preferred destination for educational investment.

Industrialist Pawan Agarwal of Naini Papers discussed sustainable production methodologies, including paper manufacturing using sugarcane residue and agri-based wood, benefiting both farmers and the environment. He noted that his new plant has created 300 new jobs and set a model for eco-conscious industry.