Chief Minister Harish Rawat has directed officials to facilitate Rs 100 crore for immediate execution of prioritised works for the Ardh Kumbh Mela to be held in 2016. This sum will be used for works related to roads, water, electricity, drainage and bridges among others. The CM has also directed officials for facilitating Rs 500 crore for Ganga cleaning works.
Reviewing preparations for the Ardh Kumbh, the CM said that proposals amounting to Rs 1,000 crore had been submitted to the Government of India. To ensure timely work on arrangements for this event, the State government has released Rs 100 crore. The State has made this arrangement on its own considering the need for immediate start of important works. This sum will be used to execute 15 important tasks with directions to start work immediately on construction of elevated road at laltaro, Jwalapur bridge, Khadkhadi to Bhupatwala and construction of double lane bridge on Sonali river. Rawat also directed officials to repair the two damaged pillars at Sol on the way towards Brahmakund.
The CM also formed a high level committee headed by the chief secretary for the Ardh Kumbh Mela. This committee comprises the additional chief secretary (Finance), Urban Development secretary and the Mela officer as members. The committee formed under the commissioner will submit its proposals to this high level committee for approval. The CM also directed the officials to bring about amendments in the old Mela Act as per needs of the present. A committee consisting of the Tourism secretary and Urban Development secretary has been formed for this purpose. This committee will propose the required amendments in the Mela Act.