Chief Minister Inaugurates and Lays Foundation Stones for Development Projects Worth ₹142.25 Crore in Gairsain

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday participated in a programme held in the summer capital Gairsain (Bhararisain) on the occasion of Uttarakhand’s Silver Jubilee Year. The two-day celebration marked 25 years of the state’s formation.

During the event organised in the Assembly premises, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the martyrs of the Uttarakhand statehood movement. He also honoured veteran movement activists by presenting them with ceremonial shawls.

The Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹142.25 crore in the district. These include the inauguration of 27 projects worth ₹43.63 crore and the foundation-laying for 33 projects worth ₹98.62 crore. The Chief Minister also inspected stalls set up by various government departments at the venue. Individuals who had excelled in the fields of sports, education, agriculture, and other sectors were also felicitated.

During the programme, contingents of ITBP, IRB, Civil Police, Home Guards, Women Constables, Civil Police/Fire Service, and the NCC Women’s Wing presented a spectacular parade to the tunes of the 46th Battalion PAC Band. The Chief Minister inspected the parade as well.

Extending his greetings on Uttarakhand’s Silver Jubilee, Chief Minister Dhami paid heartfelt tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation and to the martyrs and activists who laid the foundation of the Uttarakhand state movement. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the state’s Silver Jubilee main celebrations has greatly honoured Uttarakhand. The Prime Minister also gifted development projects worth over ₹8,200 crore and set new goals for the state’s progress.

The Chief Minister said the government is working continuously to make Uttarakhand the spiritual capital of the world. The restoration and beautification of ancient temples in the Kedarkhand and Manaskhand regions are progressing rapidly to boost pilgrimage tourism. He also paid tribute to Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, acknowledging that Vajpayee not only gave Uttarakhand its statehood but also strengthened it by granting a special industrial package.

Chief Minister Dhami said that several development schemes are being implemented for the growth of Gairsain. The government has adopted Sarkot village and is working with villagers and departments to develop it as a model village. New policies and schemes are being formulated for the holistic development of the state. As a result, Uttarakhand today ranks among the leading states in many national indicators — the state’s growth rate has increased significantly, farmers’ incomes are rising, and unemployment has fallen by 4.4%.

Uttarakhand has secured first position in the country in the Sustainable Development Index, and it has also won the Most Film-Friendly State Award. With the support of the central government, the state is progressing continuously in infrastructure, education, health, and air and rail connectivity.

He said missions like Temple Mala Mission, the One District One Fair scheme, and the promotion of adventure tourism are strengthening the state’s economy. Strict land laws have been implemented to curb land mafia activities. A stringent anti-cheating law has also been introduced to ensure transparency in recruitment exams.

The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand is playing a leading role in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of “Local to Global.” He announced that a DPR-based master plan will be prepared to develop Gairsain and surrounding areas on the lines of a smart city. He also announced that Chaikhutia, Jyotirmath, and Ghansali will be connected under the UDAN air connectivity scheme.

Those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister and Chamoli District In-charge Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Karnprayag MLA Anil Nautiyal, Tharali MLA Bhupal Ram Tamta, Rudraprayag MLA Bharat Singh Chaudhary, Ranikhet MLA Pramod Nainwal, Kapkot MLA Suresh Gadia, Roorkee MLA Pradeep Batra, District Panchayat President Daulat Singh Bisht, BKTC Vice President Rishi Prasad Sati, Minister of State Ramchandra Gaur, Hark Singh Negi, BJP District President Gajpal Barthwal, Municipal Council President Ganesh Shah, Sandeep Rawat, Block Pramukh Gairsain Durga Devi, Sarkot Gram Pradhan Priyanka Negi, former Karnprayag MLA and statehood activist Surendra Singh, BJP General Secretary Arun Maithani, Vinod Kanwasi, District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar, SP Surjit Singh Panwar, CDO Dr. Abhishek Tripathi, along with local residents. The programme was organised by the Information & Public Relations Department.