Ropeways Corpn announced

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 19

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has announced setting up of a Ropeway Corporation to expand the ropeway network in the state. He was speaking at a meeting with officials of PWD, Tourism, Irrigation, and BRO and Cultural Department held here today.

He directed the PWD, Irrigation and Tourism departments to constitute a team of committed personnel who can work in remote high-altitude regions. He said the culture of the state should be linked with tourism and cultural shows should be organised on a large scale in Dehradun, Rishikesh and Almora during the month of June.

The Chief Minister asserted that the first phase of the working plan concerned with the Char Dham Yatra has been completed and it has received encouraging and positive response. “Now, working plan for phase two of Char Dham Yatra improvement would be prepared considering long-term vision,” he said.

He said the Char Dham, Hemkund Sahib and Kailash Mansarovar yatras should go on uninterrupted. He asked PWD officials to construct ghats on the banks of the Mandakini along with flood protection work and other works in Kedarnath shrine.

The Chief Minister stated that tunnel technology, alternative road and slope stabilisation technique needed to be adopted in sensitive landslide zones on the Badrinath Road. The Yamunotri and Gangotri should particularly be developed. Other tourist spots near Char Dham should be developed so that infrastructure facilities developed for the Char Dham may be used during the entire year. He said helipads should be developed near important shrines and tourist places.

Secretary PWD Amit Negi said three bridge divisions were being constructed in the state to facilitate construction of bridges destroyed in the disaster of 2013. Secretary Tourism Dr Umakant Pawar said around 1.80 lakh devotees had reached the Char Dham till date.

The Chief Minister announced that pension would be given to folk artists and other cultural artists who are 60 years and above. He said a special allowance would be paid to the artists who train their children in folk arts.