Reacting to the Bharatiya Janata Party touting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Dehradun to unveil foundation stone of all weather road for Char Dham circuit, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has categorically objected to the use of the "all weather" term as it made it appear as if the State’s roads leading to Char Dham are in dilapidated condition. As is known, the Char Dham Yatra is hampered due to landslide so in his capacity as Chief Minister of Utttarakhand, he had held several meetings with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and demanded permanent solution to the problem of landslides. Rawat had asked the Ministry to either build bridges or byepass roads at landslide prone areas on the Char Dham circuit. On Rawat demanding so, Gadkari had assured that he would find a solution to the problem. Now they have been talking about all -weather road, which means currently there is no road leading to Char Dham, and by saying this they have been creating illusion among the people, said Rawat while reiterating that he would work towards ensuring that each village is connected with road by 2018.
As is known, after the June 2013 disaster, the State consistently showcased Uttarakhand and pilgrims acknowledged the campaign with several lakhs of pilgrims arriving this year. He expressed apprehension that union Government's term of all-weather road seems hollow because the Government which could not release the State's budget, which was sanctioned for the reconstruction of Uttarakhand in post disaster-2013, i.e. `8,000 crore is yet to be released by the union Government. With this scenario he would say that this seems political
gimmicks and nothing else.
Reacting on BJP leaders allegation that Chief Minister Harish Rawat is busy in unveiling foundation stones when state is about to go for fresh assembly election, CM said that this is "my right and nobody can challenge this". He reiterated that he has mandate to think about the interest of public so he does not need anyone’s certification on it. As far as unveiling foundation stone is concerned that BJP led union Government is in power since 2014 but now they got time to unveil the stone. Does it mean that they are doing it for political mileageIJ If not then how can they raise question on my decision to unveil foundation stone of projects. He also said that he has also review financial status for these projects so BJP allegation is not more than absurd comment.