New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 23 projects worth over Rs 17,500 crore in Uttarakhand on Thursday. He laid the foundation stone of the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project which was first conceived in 1976 and was pending for many years. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of Rs 8,700-crore road sector projects. These road projects would realise PM's vision to improve connectivity in remote, rural and border areas. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will also get improved connectivity. He also laid the foundation stone of AIIMS Rishikesh satellite centre at Udham Singh Nagar and Jagjivan Ram Government Medical College at Pithoragarh.
These satellite centres would be in line with the PM's endeavour to provide world-class medical facilities in all parts of the country. He laid the foundation stone of Aroma Park at Kashipur and Plastic Industrial Park at Sitarganj and multiple other initiatives in housing, sanitation and drinking water supply across the state.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister recalled his long association with Kumaon and thanked the people of the region for honouring him with the Uttarakhandi cap. Modi said the strength of the people of Uttarakhand will make this decade the decade of Uttarakhand. "Modern infrastructure growing in Uttarakhand, Char Dham project, new rail routes being built, will make this decade the decade of Uttarakhand," he said. He also referred to strides made by Uttrakhand in the fields of hydropower, industry, tourism, natural agriculture and connectivity.
The Prime Minister said in the absence of development and facilities, many people migrated to other places from the region. He said that the government is working with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He said the foundation stone of AIIMS Rishikesh satellite centre at Udham Singh Nagar and Jagjivan Ram Government Medical College at Pithoragarh will strengthen the medical infrastructure in the state. He said projects, including those being launched today, will improve connectivity in the state. He said that the foundation stones that are being laid today are pledge stones that will be followed up with full resolve. He said deprivation and hassles of the past are now being converted into facilities and harmony. He also said that during the last seven years through Har Ghar Jal, toilets, Ujjwala Scheme, PMAY, women are getting new facilities and dignity.
The Prime Minister said the government has engaged in a mission from Gangotri to Gangasagar. With the construction of toilets, better sewerage system and modern water treatment facilities, the number of dirty drains falling into the Ganges is reducing rapidly. Similarly, Nainital Jheel is also being attended to. The Prime Minister said the Central government has also set up India's largest optical telescope at Devasthal in Nainital. This has not only given a new facility to the scientists of the country and abroad, but this area has also got a new identity. He said today, in Delhi and Dehradun governments are not driven by the desire for power but by the spirit of service.
The Prime Minister lamented the fact that despite being a border state, many defence-related needs were ignored. Along with connectivity, every aspect of national security was ignored. He said that soldiers had to wait for connectivity, essential armour, ammunition and arms and even for giving befitting replies to invaders and terrorists.
The Prime Minister remarked that Uttarakhand wants to accelerate the pace of development. He said, "Your dreams are our resolutions. Your desire is our inspiration, and it is our responsibility to fulfil your every need."
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