A knowledge city will be built in Dehradun on the lines of knowledge city in Mexico, which is also being attempted in Gujarat, said Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.
He said that a Cabinet meeting will be held on January 28 after which the ministers will tour the districts under their charge. The CM himself would tour Garhwal and Kumaon by road.
Talking to the media here on Wednesday, Bahuguna said that discussion had been held regarding the knowledge city with Planning Commission vice chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Infrastructure and Innovation, Sam Pitroda. The State will look for land for this project which will attract national and international level educational institutions here.
The CM further said that money had been received from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank while the DPR for works had also been made. However, for speeding up the reconstruction of roads damaged in disaster, it is important to facilitate State-level forest clearance for up to five hectare land for road alignment. The Centre had been requested in the past to facilitate this and will be requested again.
The CM will also present Uttarakhand’s position regarding forest clearance for mining through the forest development corporation in the meeting to be held at the Ministry of Environment and Forests on January 24. Approval of the Centre will increase the revenue and increase availability of construction raw material, making it cheaper in the interest of Uttarakhand residents. The CM informed that the strike of Patwaris and government nurses had ended and that the State government is eager to fulfill their valid demands.