Chief Minister Harish Rawat laid the foundation stone of Uttarakhand Bhawan to be constructed at Vashi of Mumbai on Friday. He directed the officials concerned to complete the construction work within the time frame. Giving emphasis on the quality of construction work, he asked them to take care of hilly handicrafts in the construction process of the building.
Uttarakhand Bhawan being constructed in Mumbai will work as a bridge between the natives of Uttarakhand and expatriates. Different Uttarakhand Bhawans situated in other cities of the country should work to boost the sale and popularity of traditional products of the State. local food grains such as Madua, Koda, Jhangora, Kala bhat and Gahath etc along with traditional handicrafts should be marketed here, CM said.
CM assured the tourists and pilgrims across the globe that Char Dham Yatra is entirely safe in Uttarakhand. “State has made fool- proof security arrangements for the visiting tourists and devotees. We wholeheartedly welcome all the tourists and pilgrims from across the nation and world. All the required arrangements have been made by State Government keeping in mind all the facilities for travellers. State has made special arrangements for Kedarnath Dham Yatra. The fact that tourists will not have to face any sort of inconvenience has been considered sincerely. Tireless efforts by State Government resulted in lakhs of people having reached in Chardham and other places in the initial phase of Yatra this year. It shows that holy Chardham is completely safe. State Government has made better trekking routes. Heli Service, helipads, ghats have been made considering the conveniences of visitors,” CM informed the gathering.
Considering the security aspect, SDRF personnel are assisting travellers en route. Medical team is available on entire travel route. “Biometric registration is being ensured for the tourists. State is fully prepared to conduct the Yatra smoothly. Despite tough geographical conditions reconstruction work is going on in Kedarnath. Nehru Mountaineering Institute (NIM) is working appreciably in this regard,” he said.
Dwelling on the State Government’s schmes to help the distressed people, CM said that the State has initiated Mere Bujurg Mere Tirth scheme to honour its elderly citizens. Free of cost Chardham Yatra is available for senior citizens of the State under the scheme, he said, adding that Uttarakhand has a compatible environment for the investment.