The State’s Tourism, Culture and Irrigation minister Satpal Maharaj inaugurated and unveiled the foundation for various developmental schemes of the Irrigation and Tourism departments in Chamoli district on Sunday.

The minister unveiled the various schemes at a function in Joshimath where he also heard the issues of the BJP’s district office bearers and workers, assuring them of necessary action. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Maharaj said that the officials should establish coordination with local public representatives to resolve the issues of the public without delay. As the State of Uttarakhand was formed after a long struggle by the people, the officials should understand that they are all the more answerable to the public. Establishing communication with the public, the officials should without fail pick up the phones made by citizens. The minister further said that the Tourism department is moving ahead on the chief minister’s 13 districts 13 destinations scheme. The State government is attempting to develop Auli into a world class tourist destination. Efforts are underway to secure a special place for Uttarakhand on the world tourism map, he added.

On the occasion, Maharaj inaugurated the open air ice skating rink costing Rs 1.38 crore at Auli. He also unveiled the foundation for construction of a cooking gas agency to be constructed at Badrinath at a cost of about Rs 48 lakh. He also inaugurated the Devalbagarh development scheme costing about Rs 34 lakh and a gate costing Rs 13 lakh built at Simli in memory of Mohan Uttarakhandi.

The Badrinath MLA Mahendra Prasad Bhatt and other BJP workers were also among those present on the occasion.