Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Inaugurates Grand Transformation and Automated Lighting System of Historic Clock Tower in Dehradun

Dehradun, Sept 2025 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday inaugurated the beautification, grand transformation, and automated lighting system of the historic Clock Tower (Ghantaghar), considered the central landmark of Dehradun. This initiative marks a major step towards preserving cultural heritage and enhancing the city’s aesthetics.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated four modern Hilans ComKitchen outlets set up in the Clock Tower area for women’s self-help groups, an innovative effort by the Uttarakhand government to promote women empowerment, self-employment, and local hill products.

Speaking at the event, CM Dhami said, “The Clock Tower is the identity of Dehradun. Its new and attractive look will not only draw tourists but also fill local citizens with pride. The automated lighting system will keep this place lively even at night, adding vibrancy to the city’s nightlife.” He added that such initiatives not only enhance the city’s beauty but also instill a sense of cleanliness, preservation, and civic responsibility among citizens.

The Chief Minister informed that the Clock Tower has been redeveloped at a cost of ₹1.5 crore, giving it a modern and grand appearance. He expressed confidence that its transformation will not only enrich the beauty of Dehradun but also serve as a major tourist attraction for the winter capital.

He further announced that four Hilans canteens have been inaugurated in Collectorate, Coronation Hospital, Guchhupani, and ISBT in Dehradun. These canteens will provide affordable and quality products to the public while offering self-employment opportunities to women self-help group members. This initiative will simultaneously empower women and promote local, traditional, and organic products of Uttarakhand.

The CM also highlighted a unique initiative for the eradication of child begging in Dehradun. Under this program, inter-departmental teams with three rescue vehicles have been formed, comprising Home Guards, Child Helpline, Education Department, Labor Department, Police, and NGOs. He noted that in the first phase, 51 children have already been rescued and enrolled in schools, while in the second phase, 31 children were admitted today to Government Primary School Parade Ground and Sadhuram Inter College. An Intensive Care Center is also being built at Sadhuram Inter College at a cost of over ₹1.5 crore for these children. “We will continue this mission until every child in our state is enrolled in school,” he said.

Highlighting broader development efforts, CM Dhami stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working tirelessly on infrastructure development, improvements in education and healthcare, and creating new employment opportunities for youth. Currently, projects worth ₹1,400 crore are underway in Dehradun alone.

The CM also mentioned initiatives for environmental protection, including the operation of 30 electric buses in the city and the establishment of 11 charging stations for private electric vehicles. To address traffic and parking issues, underground parking facilities are being developed, and plans for elevated roads over the Rispana and Bindal rivers are being prepared.

The event was attended by Cabinet Ministers Ganesh Joshi and Subodh Uniyal, MLA Khajan Das, senior administrative officers, local traders, and a large number of citizens.

(Information & Public Relations Department)