CM virtually inaugurates Baikunth Chaturdashi Mela in Srinagar
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun/Srinagar, 4 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami virtually inaugurated the Baikunth Chaturdashi Mela held in Srinagar, Pauri, today. On this occasion he virtually also addressed the public and lauded the region’s cultural heritage and ongoing development initiatives. He observed that the ancient temples of Goddess Dhari Devi and Lord Kamleshwar Mahadev, situated in Srinagar Garhwal, are invaluable treasures of Uttarakhand’s spiritual and cultural legacy. He also reminded that the annual fair, celebrated on the occasion of Baikunth Chaturdashi, stands as a vibrant symbol of faith and the rich folk traditions of the region. He emphasised that such traditional fairs play a vital role in reconnecting society with its cultural roots.
The CM asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is committed to the holistic development of Uttarakhand. He claimed that significant strides are being made in strengthening infrastructure across key sectors such as education, health, drinking water, and connectivity across the state. Alongside physical development, equal emphasis is being placed on the preservation and promotion of the state’s cultural and religious heritage. He also reminded that major reconstruction works are underway at the Kedarnath Dham and Badrinath Dham under the Master Plan, while the work on Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line is progressing rapidly.
He further noted that the completion of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway project will greatly enhance rail connectivity for Srinagar and the broader Garhwal region. Sharing details of some ongoing projects in Srinagar, he said that a Roadways bus station and a parking facility have been constructed at a cost of Rs 4.88 crores. The Ganga Sanskriti Kendra is being developed along the banks of the Alaknanda river, and the Srinagar Municipality has been upgraded to the status of a Municipal Corporation. Additionally, the Marhi-Chauras-Jakhri pumping drinking water scheme, with an estimated cost exceeding Rs 37 crores, is currently under construction.
Dhami also outlined several other developmental schemes being implemented in the region. These include the establishment of a new township in the areas adjoining the Belkedar and Belkandi routes of Srinagar, provision of sewerage infrastructure to all localities under the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, construction of Trident Park, restoration of the old Collectorate building as a heritage site, development of a pedestrian pathway to the Dhari Devi temple, and beautification of Gola Park.
Stressing on the religious, historical, and educational significance of Srinagar, the CM referred to it as a city of temples. He also mentioned that the city is rapidly emerging as an educational hub in Uttarakhand and announced that the government is setting up a Paramedical College and a Nursing College in the city, with land acquisition in its final stages. He added that a Critical Care Block is being constructed at the Base Hospital at a cost of Rs 25 crore, which will provide advanced medical facilities to thousands of patients from Pauri, Chamoli, Tehri, and Rudraprayag districts.
Mayor Aarti Bhandari, District Magistrate Swati Bhadauria, and several other dignitaries were present during the virtual inauguration ceremony.
