Yamkeshwar, Pauri: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday inaugurated the three-day Nayar Utsav-2024 in Kinsur Bagi, a village in the Yamkeshwar constituency. The event kicked off with the CM performing a ceremonial Ganga Puja, followed by the release of Mahseer fish seeds into the river. The Chief Minister also flagged off a rafting expedition as part of the festival’s activities.
During his address, CM Dhami announced seven major development projects aimed at boosting infrastructure and tourism in the region. Among the key projects are the upgrading of the Devprayag-Satpuli and Devprayag-Buakhal roads to national highways, and the construction of a 6 km road along the Nand River. He also approved the construction of a mini-stadium in the Lakshman Jhula area and announced the building of an RCC double-lane bridge over the Bin River near Ganga Bhogpur on the Pashulok motor road.
The Chief Minister further revealed plans for the tarmacking of the Jakhanikhal-Dhandoli motor road in Dwarikhal and committed to establishing a degree college in Yamkeshwar, pending land availability.
Dhami emphasized that the Nayar Utsav would enhance the global recognition of the area and promote tourism-related economic growth. “This festival will help in establishing this region on the world map, bringing economic and cultural benefits to the local communities,” he said, adding that the development of basic tourism infrastructure would give a significant boost to local trade.
Highlighting the government’s broader developmental agenda, Dhami pointed to ongoing projects such as the 100-foot flag and park in Pauri, the revival of the historic Kedarnath-Badrinath footpath, and the beautification of Gola Park in Srinagar. He also mentioned plans to begin the construction of the Singtali Bridge soon.
In a significant political promise, the Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, a key campaign promise of his government. He also highlighted his administration’s efforts to expand employment opportunities, stating that more than 17,000 government jobs had been provided in the last three years. Dhami assured that the state’s strict anti-cheating laws have ensured transparency in all recruitment processes.
Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat also spoke at the event, praising the Dhami administration for taking several initiatives aimed at public welfare. Recent decisions include providing three free LPG cylinders annually to underprivileged women until 2027 and offering free treatment for victims of wildlife conflicts under the Atal Ayushman Scheme.
The inauguration was attended by several local dignitaries, including MLA Renu Bisht, BJP district president Sushma Rawat, and District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan.