Prime Minister Narender Modi today initiated 23 projects worth Rs 17500 crore from Haldwani and blamed the previous opposition governments for migration of people from the mountains of Uttarakhand. “People were denied water, roads, rails and mobile connectivity. The projects were delayed for decades. Instead the opposition governments looted this border Himalayan state with both hands”, he charged.
Prime Minister launched the broadside against the opposition parties at the massive rally held in Haldwani in Kumaon district of Uttarakhand on Thursday. He laid foundation stone and opened 23 projects worth Rs 17500 crore in Uttarakhand. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will get a road connectivity and tourists will come in droves to Uttarakhand when they get facilities that in turn around local economy and stop migration, Modi said.
He said he laid the foundation stone of Lakhwar multipurpose project that would benefit six states. It was conceived in 1976, but previous governments delayed it for 45 years. They denied its benefits to three generations of Uttarakhand, Modi said.
He said he laid the foundation stone of Rs 8700 crore road sector projects that would speed up development and would ring in tourism boom in which local youth will get employment opportunities in Uttarakhand.
In the long run, it would arrest migration of the youth from the mountains to cities as they will get employment and sources of livelihoods in these areas. Uttarakhand is Dev Bhoomi and nobody would leave it, he said.
Modi said the “Har Ghar ko Nal” scheme will bring relief mainly to women folks who have suffered a lot due to lack of LPG and water facilities in the remote areas. In 2 years, we have given water to 5 crore households and women in 13 districts of Uttarakhand will get water from this scheme, he added.
Modi laid foundation stone of AIIMS Rishikesh satellite centre at Udham Singh Nagar and Jagjivan Ram Government Medical College at Pithoragarh. This is in line with our endeavour to provide world class medical facilities in all parts of the country and roads facilities would bring in tourism and locals will get huge benefits from these projects, Modi said.
He also laid foundation stone of Aroma Park at Kashipur and Plastic Industrial Park at Sitarganj and multiple other initiatives in housing, sanitation and drinking water supply across the state. These schemes will rid Nainital from problem of sewerage and bring in more visitors, he added.
He said Rs 2000 crore scheme, water sewerage, roads, street lights, parking, will ring in an unprecedent development in Haldwani, Bageshwar and Someshwar, Nainital which have suffered for decades, he said.
Prime Minister said from Gangotri and Kedarnath and Kashi Vishwanath to Ganga Sagar, modern infrastructure is being set up under Chardham and “Namami Gange project to make holy river cleaner. The roads, rail routes, hydropower, herbal garden and local industry will make Uttarakhand prosperous as the government is also protecting environment”, he said.
The local products, tourism infrastructure, home stays, natural farming, herbal products will change the local economy in Uttarakhand, he said.
Modi said they understand power of Himalayan rivers. Previous governments denied development for decades. People did not get roads, Bijli and pani and they were forced to settle elsewhere. People now have understood the opposition and they will not leave them unpunished, he said.
Prime Minister said the Rs 9000 crore would be spent on roads, and in due course of time a road network of 1200 km, 151 bridges when ready will stop the age old migration as they will help create opportunities locally, he said.
He said Mansarowar road, Tanakpur- Bageshwar rail line will bring in visitors and benefit locals, who can open their small shops to facilitate the tourists.
Modi said people should be aware now that opposition parties run Rumour Mills day and night to spread lies and rumour. Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line will be completed in a time bound manner, he said.
