Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday assured the Haryana Government of all kinds of assistance for developing Adibadri, the origin of mythological Saraswati river, as a tourist destination of international level as well as for completion of the works related to the Saraswati project.
Gadkari, who also holds the charge of Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry was speaking at a programme to mark the launch of the International Saraswati Mahotsav-2018 at Adibadri in Yamunanagar district.
The Union Minister has asked the Chief Minister Manohar lal to send proposals for construction of a dam and for development of a tourism circuit in this area to the Union Government at the earliest.
Underscoring the historical and religious significance of Adibadri, Gadkari said Rig-Veda was composed on the bank of holy river Saraswati which finds a detailed description in the Vedas.
Historian Vishnu S Wakankar and senior RSS pracharak Moropant Pingale came out with some splendid facts and findings about river Saraswati in this area. The initiatives of the Central and the Haryana Governments to develop this place as a tourist resort and for overall development of Adibadri would be a real tribute to these eminent personalities, said the Union Minister.
Gadkari further said that ISRO and the Archeological Department has also confirmed the channels of Saraswati in this area. It is our duty to inform the new generation about our rich culture, heritage and history, he said. Assuring all kinds of assistance to the people of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for the construction of dam and other development in this area, he said the government would not only make rehabilitation arrangements but would also provide adequate compensation to the affected people, if required.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that a report on construction of a dam on Som river is ready and would soon be sent to the Central Government for approval to ensure flow of water in Saraswati at the earliest.
He announced the decision to build a bridge between Adibadri Narian Temple and Kedarnath Temple at Adibadri to facilitate the piligrims.
The Government would make adequate arrangements for rehabilitation of people of Bheron and Mantra villages located in a radius of the 88 acres proposed for the construction of dam, said the Chief Minister. After formation of the BJP government in 2014, we formed Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board to ensure flow of water in the river, he said.
Manohar lal said that several schemes have been planned. Water of the Shivalik range would be stored by making small dams. The government has also signed an MoU with the ONGC for flow of water though pump- sets.
Referring to Dadupur Nalvi, he said some rivers caused floods in this area. Keeping this in view, water of such rivers would be stored by building a dam. This would not only ensure recharge of the ground water but also fulfill the water requirements of two-three districts, he added. Earlier, the Union Minister and the CM flagged off International Saraswati Mahotsav yatra and performed yajna. HP Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Rajiv Bindal, and Deputy Chairman, Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board, r Prashant Bharadwaj, also spoke on this occasion.