Central Command lucknow Maj Gen Rajiv Pant met the Chief Minister Harish Rawat at the Bijapur guest house on Saturday and submitted a proposal about the development of basic infrastructure in the border areas of the State. The State agreed to constitute a joint mechanism of disaster management, it is learnt.
During the meeting, Gen Pant disclosed that Army is working on to connect Char Dham with ladakh through tunnel via Dharchula, the Assembly constituency of the CM. He said that it would address migration as well. With this, the state tourism and economy will get boost, he said, adding that based on the pattern of Jammu & Kashmir, the Army will start operation Sadhbhawna for borders areas upto 100 kilometer from the borders. Under the programme, community centre and medical facility will be introduced, the Army officer said.
They are understood to have discussed about strengthening of roads and air strips at the border areas. Gen Pant gave hints that Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage has seen a 10 time rise in the number of pilgrims’ footfall. The Army would build infrastructure to cope up with the spurt in the number of pilgrims, he said.
CM on his part said that the State Government is trying to promote Chhota Kailash yatra and providing helicopter service on concessional rates to ensure that more and more people come and visit these places.
On Tanakpur-Jolgivi road, CM said it is important not just for the local residents but for logistic reasons too. He said this stretch is the most important one for the state. “I am happy that Gen Pant has agreed to look into the matter at their own level. We have also agreed to build joint mechanism for administration and Army as part of disaster management to smoothen things if andwhen they happen here,” CM said .