The Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex Cricket Stadium constructed at Gaulapar, Greater Haldwani, built at a cost of about Rs200 crore was dedicated to the public by Chief Minister Harish Rawat along with state finance minister and Halwani MlA Indira Hridayesh, revenue minister Yashpal Arya, Sports Minister Dinesh Agarwal, district in charge Minister Pritam Singh and labour Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal on Sunday. In addition to this, foundation stones were also unveiled including the interintional zoo to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs100 crore and varied completed projects inaugurated totaling in cost to more than Rs300 crore on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering at the inaugurated sports stadium, the Chief Minister said that the newly constructed international cricket stadium at the gateway to the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and the international-level zoo to be built in the region are akin to a new year’s present for the people of the state. He said that in the year 2018, the state will be hosting the national games, in view of which the state government has worked towards developing the sports infrastructure and improving the existing facilities. He said, “As part of these measures, grand stadiums at Pauri, Dehradun and Haldwani will prove to be milestones for the national games. Uttarakhand is ready to host the national games slated to be held in 2018. The work of constructing the Khel Gaon (sports village) is progressing at a swift pace. Apart from this, the prize money given to sportspersons winning medals at various levels has also been increased by the State Government in order to link the players with the mainstream of sports and to develop the tendency towards sports among the youth. local training camps are being held in all the districts while district and state level competitions are also being organised in order to maximise the number of youth brought to the mainstream of sports,” said the CM. Rawat also announced the creatin of a river development fund for beautification works along the Gaula river here. He also asked the Irrigation Minister Yashpal Arya to immediately draft the necessary proposal and send it for approval.
Rawat further said, “Development is our culture and tradition. With this in mind, we are moving forward with no such area of the State being left where the effects of developmental works have not reached. Through the Satat Vikas Yatra we have also attempted to link members of all the sections of society with the mainstream of development. Considering this, for facilitating tourism development and recreational facility, the foundation has been laid for an international zoo at Haldwani, which will also prove to be a milestone in the times to come. After the Corbett and Rajaji tiger reservers of Uttarakhand, the zoo to come up at Haldwani will also establish its identity at the international level because this zoo will have wild animals from all around the world in addition to having modern facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh said that the gateway to Kumaon- Haldwani has developed from a kasba (locality) to a large town at a rapid pace. “There has been considerable change in the living standards and lifestyles of the people with changing times. Sports is an important part of our life. In order to generate interest among the people in sports and to encourage an atmosphere conducive to sports and for hosting the national games 2018, the state Government has worked on developing the sports infrastructure,” said the Finance Minister.
In his address, the sports minister Dinesh Aggarwal that a sports mechanism is being developed in the state. For the first time, a sports policy was prepared in the state, said the Minister, while also speaking about the various schemes being implemented to felicitate medal winners and sporting talents.
Cabinet Ministers Yashpal Arya, Harish Chandra Durgapal and Pritam Singh also expressed their views on the occasion.