State

Delhi-Ramnagar Corbett eco train, rail survey to Gangotri-Yamunotri approved

Wednesday, 16 June 2021 | PNS | Dehradun

CM discusses range of issues with Union ministers

Responding to a request of chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat, the Union Railway minister Piyush Goyal granted approval in principle to the Delhi-Ramnagar Corbett eco train, adding that the train will be started soon. Goyal also approved the request for railway line survey from Doiwala to Gangotri-Yamunotri and Tanakpur-Bageshwar. The approvals were granted when Rawat met Goyal in the national Capital on Tuesday to discuss various issues pertaining to the state.

The union minister directed railway officials to expedite work on the Roorkee-Devband rail. He said that the doubling of the Haridwar-Dehradun railway line will be executed in two phases. The first phase of doubling Haridwar-Raiwala stretch will be completed soon. The minister also directed officials to immediately start work on the Raiwala railway diversion. Stating that a helipad has to be built at Haridwar for pilgrims and tourists, Rawat requested that 0.5 hectare BHEL land identified for this purpose be transferred free to the state government for 20 years.

While meeting the Union minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, Rawat thanked him for NBWL approval to Laldhang-Chillarkhal road improvement work and transfer of Rangers college ground to the state government. He also sought relaxation in forest land transfer for the Laldhang-Chillarkhal road project. Rawat further requested necessary action for approval to enable PMGSY road works. When asked to facilitate free BHEL land to the state for 20 years for constructing a helipad in Haridwar, the minister agreed to provide three to four acres of land.

The CM also met the Union Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Rawat said that the state is making serious efforts to turn Uttarakhand into an organic state. The duo discussed various issues related to the state. Tomar assured Rawat of all possible assistance from the ministries under his charge.

Rawat also met the Union minister of State for Civil Aviation, Housing and Urban Development, Hardeep Singh Puri. Rawat thanked Puri for the Rs 32.14 crore approved and released for solid waste management projects in three Ganga towns- Rishikesh, Roorkee and Kotdwari under the Swachchh Bharat Mission (Urban). The two discussed aspects in detail for expansion of air services in the state. Rawat said that the length of runway at Pithoragarh airstrip needs to be increased to make the facility more suitable for air services. This airstrip should also be transferred to the Airports Authority of India. Rawat also requested that tenders be invited again for operation of fixed wing aircraft from Pithoragarh airstrip under the regional connectivity scheme and making the routes approved under the scheme point to point.

In the meeting with the Union minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel, the union minister agreed to Rawat’s request for developing IDPL Rishikesh as a special tourism zone. The project will entail using 600 acre area at IDPL for a biodiversity park, international convention centre, resort, hotel and wellness centre. Patel appreciated the concept of this project, adding that in the future too the centre will fund this project.

Rawat also discussed various issues with the Union minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Giriraj Singh. Rawat informed that under the National Gokul Mission the state has a Rs 340 lakh scheme for conservation of Gir cows at Kalsi farm in Dehradun. Rawat requested Singh to approve the scheme and release the budget for it. The duo discussed various other aspects related to animal husbandry in the state. Chief secretary Om Prakash, secretaries Shailesh Bagauli, Radhika Jha and other officials were also present in the meetings. Rawat also met Union Education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS.

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