The Uttarakhand Government has sought a special package from the Central Government amounting to more than Rs3,000 crore in the ratio of 90:10 as accorded to North Eastern States, for reconstruction and development of Kedarnath, Gairsain, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route and the Ardh Kumbh 2016.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat submitted a letter listing the demands of the State while meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday.
Rawat informed Modi that the road from Rudraprayag to Kedarnath via Gaurikund was damaged by disaster after which the state government worked on war footing to repair and reopen the roads for the yatra. He said that two tunnels need to be constructed between Guptkashi and Kedarnath as alternate routes. The CM has sought a special package of Rs 1000 crore to reconstruct Kedarnath and rehabilitate Rudraprayag-Sonprayag-Gaurikund-lincholi. He told the PM that the outline of state government’s vision for rehabilitation of Joshimath- lambagad- Badrinath and construction of ropeways for the pilgrims to Hemkund and visitors to Valley of Flowers had been prepared. He said that this required a special package of Rs 500 crore. A 10 kilometre stretch around Uttarkashi had also become sensitive following last year’s disaster and requires slope stabilisation and flood control works along with redevelopment of Uttarkashi-Harshil-Gangotri and Gaumukh which requires a special package of Rs500 crore.
The CM has also sought a special package of Rs1,000 crore for development of the seven stops on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route and reconstruction/rehabilitation of settlements including Madkot, Bangapani, Jauljeevi, Dharchula, Tawaghat etc along Gauri Ganga and Dhauli Ganga rivers situated in Pithoragarh district in Kumaon. Rawat emphasised on the need for construction of the Tanakpur- Jauljeevi road along the Kali River running on the India- Nepal border.
Stating that Uttarakhand is a power deficit state which had recently received techno-economic clearance, environmental and forest clearance from the Indian government for its projects, Rawat said that now, only investment clearance was pending. The Cabinet Secretary had to be directed to give the investment clearance. He added that like all Himalayan states Uttarakhand must get its share of central assistance in the ratio of 90:10. He said that in the meeting held by the NDC, the Union Forest Minister had assured granting of Green Bonus status to Uttarakhand, but this had still not been granted. Rawat has sought an immediate inquiry in this matter. He urged the PM to free the excavation of all rivers in Uttarakhand from FCA and to get EIA conducted under Supreme Court guidelines and provide permission through the State level Committee.
Rawat further informed that over five crore people are expected to attend the Ardh Kumbh mela to be held in 2016 and sought a special package for repairing and developing infrastructure in the mela area.
The CM has invited the PM to Kedarnath and has expressed hope for support on the issues raised by the State Government.