Uttarakhand: Stepping Towards Amrit Kaal

Published By : Admin | April 2, 2024 | 19:16 IST

"You have also seen that due to the wrong policies of the past, many villages of Uttarakhand were deserted. There was a lack of roads, electricity, water, education, medicine, income, everything and due to this lack of amenities, people had to leave their homes. Now the circumstances are changing. As new opportunities and new facilities are being developed in Uttarakhand, many friends have started returning to their villages."
-PM Narendra Modi, At Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, popularly known as Devbhumi, is one of India's most popular tourist destinations and a hub for pilgrimage. The state is naturally endowed with picturesque views and is heaven for nature lovers. Be it Jim Corbett National Park or Char Dham, Rishikesh, Valley of Flowers, Nainital, and Ranikhet, Uttarakhand is a region of spiritual enlightenment and a favoured destination for tourists. The state has been in the news lately for a good cause. Under the double-engine government led by PM Modi, Uttarakhand is showered with an infrastructure push leading to increasing tourism and expanding the circular economy. Uttarakhand is receiving the attention it deserves. The state is witnessing an all-inclusive growth coupled with cultural resurgence.

The focus on infrastructure development has been one of the main goals of the Modi-led government in Uttarakhand. The state has made substantial investments to improve electrical infrastructure, enhance digital connectivity, and upgrade road and rail connectivity. The development of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project, and the Char Dham Highway Development Programme are just a few of the initiatives that have been instrumental in enhancing connectivity and promoting economic growth in Uttarakhand. The state was connected with the Vande Bharat Network in May 2023, with the inauguration of the Vande Bharat Express from Dehradun to Delhi by PM Narendra Modi. Moreover, Uttarakhand is now 100% electric traction. The state has seen a significant thrust in air connectivity under the UDAN scheme. Uttarakhand is marked as a priority area under UDAN. Furthermore, Pantnagar, Pithoragarh, Sahastradhara, Chinyalisaur, Gaucher, New Tehri, Haldwani, Almora and Srinagar have been developed/revived under the "Revival/upgradation of unserved and underserved airports/heliports/water aerodromes" with an expenditure of Rs. 37.82 crore until February 28, 2023. UDAN flights have already begun operating from these aerodromes.

The government under PM Modi has made it a top priority to protect Uttarakhand's pristine environment and diverse ecosystem. Like the Namami Gange, the Modi government Program seeks to restore rivers, conserve forests, and advance sustainable development in the region. In addition, measures have been taken to safeguard the people of Uttrakhand from natural disasters by deploying early warning systems and developing flood-resilient buildings. In September 2020, as part of the Namami Gange initiative, six significant projects were inaugurated in Uttarakhand to cleanse and maintain continuous flow in the river Ganga.

Uttarakhand has an abundance of potential for the growth of tourism because of its natural beauty and spiritual significance. With programmes like the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD projects, the government has made a significant effort to promote tourism in the region. Under the PRASHAD scheme, three major development projects of tourist destinations have been identified and allocated more than Rs. 145 crore. These projects have improved the amenities and infrastructure of popular tourist spots like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Nainital, drawing domestic and foreign visitors to Uttarakhand. With a surge in domestic travel interest, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board foresee a twofold increase in tourist arrivals to the state, from 39.2 million visitors in 2018-19 to 74 million by the conclusion of FY24.

Along with promoting the state's unique culture, the double-engine government in Uttarakhand is committed to the upliftment of everyone. Many central government schemes have shown wider acceptance and success in the state. Under Jal Jeevan Mission, more than 12 lakh households have been connected to tap water for the first time since its launch in 2019.
Under PMAY-G, over 69 thousand houses are sanctioned in the state. Regarding financial inclusion, the Mudra Scheme has facilitated over 25.32 lakh loans in Uttarakhand, with a disbursed amount totalling Rs. 21,426.12 crore as of February 2023. Similarly, the state has seen a big boost to the healthcare infrastructure. Under the centrally sponsored scheme, four new medical colleges have been approved since 2014. Moreover, under the aegis of Ayushman Bharat, over 65 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) were created. From house to health, the government led by PM Modi has ensured that the people of Uttarakhand prosper.

Due to the holistic efforts of the government, Uttarakhand is on the verge of becoming a magnet for investments and a favourable destination for future businesses across the nation. In 2020, the Export Preparedness Rankings placed Uttarakhand top among the Himalayan states, having increased its exports in the previous five years. With more avenues opening up and more investments and capital flowing in the state, the day is not far away when once touted as inaccessible and seemingly closed for businesses and economic activities, the state will flourish with employment and economic prospects. From 2020-21 to August 2023, over 11 lakh persons have been employed in MSMEs as per the Udyam Registration Portal. Another step in this direction is evident with the recently organised 'Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023', aimed at positioning Uttarakhand as a premier investment hub. With all these initiatives, Uttarakhand is witnessing both development and divinity together.

The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a pivotal role in propelling development and bringing cultural resurgence to Uttarakhand. Notable strides have been made in improving Uttarakhand's infrastructure, boosting tourism, protecting the environment, and maintaining its cultural legacy through deliberate investments, legislative changes, and cooperative efforts with the local government and people. The effects of these measures are anticipated to support Uttarakhand's growth and prosperity in the years to come as the state progresses in its development trajectory.

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PM Modi’s Vision Fuels Delhi’s Development
April 12, 2024

“Delhi has the good fortune to get an opportunity of keeping the flag of nations' prestige flying high.”
- PM Narendra Modi as Delhi prepared to host the G20 Summit

The last ten years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government have set in motion the creation of a New India—from rural to urban, from water to electricity, from houses to health, from education to employment, from castes to classes—a comprehensive plan bringing growth and prosperity to each doorstep.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi has emerged as a pivotal part of this dynamic developmental momentum spearheaded by PM Modi throughout this transformative decade.

The city has been at the heart of the infrastructural shift that has given a dedicated facelift to the entire nation. Today infrastructural marvels like Atal Setu, Chenab Bridge, Statue of Unity, and Zojila Tunnel dot India’s ever-evolving landscape.

With its focus on revamping transportation networks, upgrading urban amenities, and expanding digital infrastructure, the Modi government has launched an array of transformative initiatives. From railways, highways to airports, these initiatives have been key in galvanising inclusive and sustainable development across the length and breadth of the country.

The impressive expansion of the metro rail network has revolutionised urban commuting in India. From a mere 5 cities in 2014, the metro rail network now serves 21 cities across the nation—expanding from 248 km in 2014 to 945 km by 2024, with 919 km of lines under construction in 26 additional cities.

The Union Cabinet has recently approved two new corridors of Delhi Metro Phase-IV—Lajpat Nagar to Saket G-Block and Inderlok to Indraprastha. Both the lines have a combined length of over 20 kms with a project cost of over Rs. 8,000 crore (funding being sourced from the Union Govt, Govt of Delhi, and international agencies). The Inderlok- Indraprastha line will play a significant role in enhancing connectivity to the Bahadurgarh region of Haryana. Additionally, India’s first Namo Bharat train, operating on the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor further underlines the Modi government’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and upgrading its transportation infrastructure.

Further, the Bharatmala Pariyojana envisages improved logistics efficiency and connectivity via the development of nearly 35,000 km of National Highway corridors. 25 greenfield high-speed corridors have been planned under the plan out of which four intersect with Delhi’s growing infra capacity: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway, and the Urban Extension Road-II. The total project length sanctioned for Delhi is 203 km with an allocation of over Rs. 18,000 crore.

Over the past decade, the Modi government has consistently dedicated efforts towards augmenting capacity and decongestion of airports. After the IGI Airport Delhi became the first airport in the country to have four runways and an elevated taxiway, the expanded state-of-the-art Terminal 1 has also been inaugurated recently. In addition, the upcoming Noida International Airport (Jewar) shall further contribute to decongestion of the Delhi airport which is serving millions of passengers annually.

Besides, the inauguration of the New Parliament has further added civilisational yet modern connotations to the city’s landscape. Inauguration of the Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre) has given Delhi India’s largest convention and exhibition centre, offering a mixed purpose tourism experience. Along with Yashobhoomi, the Bharat Mandapam, a world-class convention and exhibition centre, showcases India to the world.

In terms of welfare, the Modi government has launched several schemes benefitting people hitherto on the margins of growth and development. Women’s safety in Delhi has been a key concern. To address the same, the Modi government strengthened the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 by increasing the quantum of punishment for rape, including capital punishment for rape of a girlchild below the age of 12.

The Union Home Ministry established a separate Women Safety Division back in 2018. One-stop centers, Sakhi Niwas, Safe City Project, Nirbhaya Fund, SHe-Box, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences, and Cri-MAC (Crime Multi-Agency Center) among others are significant additions in the government’s campaign towards women safety.

In addition, Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have further led to the empowerment of Nari Shakti in India.

As India becomes the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, Delhi is also contributing significantly towards this development. Today over 13,000 DPIIT-recognised startups are functioning in Delhi even as the government is promoting self-employment through PM MUDRA Yojana with over 2.3 lakh loans sanctioned worth over Rs. 3,000 crore for FY2023-24 (as on 26.01.2024).

PM SVANidhi, which provides collateral free loans to street vendors, is supporting over 1.67 lakh beneficiaries in Delhi. Further, under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana, launched in 2020 to incentivise employers for creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during Covid-19 pandemic, over 2.2 lakh employees benefitted in Delhi.

Further, nearly 30,000 houses have been sanctioned and completed in Delhi under PM Awas Yojana (Urban).

Air pollution has been a recurring problem for the people of Delhi. Conscious of this reality, the central government has launched the National Clean Air Programme as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution level across the country.

The Modi government's tenure over the last decade has brought about a remarkable transformation in Delhi across various fronts. From infrastructure development to governance reforms, from education to employment, the government's initiatives have left an indelible mark on the capital city. As Delhi continues on its journey of progress and development, the contributions of the Modi government are set to shape its future trajectory for years to come.