Khatima (Uttarakhand) [India], January 14 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while participating in a programme held in Khatima on Wednesday, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for nine development projects worth ₹33 crore 36 lakh 49 thousand, an official statement said.
These include the newly constructed Hi-Tech Maharana Pratap Bus Station built by the District Development Authority at a cost of ₹11 crore 27 lakh 50 thousand.
The Chief Minister announced that the Balaji Temple in Nanakmatta will be beautified. Under the Nanakmatta Assembly constituency, beautification and reconstruction works will be carried out at Brahmadev Temple near Lohia Bridge in Khatima. Rooms, a hall, and beautification works will be undertaken at Devbhoomi Dharamshala. The Sonukhari-Kishanpur-Barkidandi-Kaithula-Tukdi road will be developed as a hot-mix road, the statement added.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the Hi-Tech Maharana Pratap Bus Station; drinking water tube wells, overhead tanks, and pipeline works constructed at a cost of ₹48.45 lakh in Municipal Wards 7 and 8; residential buildings for Revenue Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors in the Nanakmatta Assembly area built at a cost of ₹490.21 lakh; office buildings for Sub-Inspectors costing ₹359.91 lakh; and drainage construction works from the lake in village Majhola towards Poliganj in Khatima costing ₹225.62 lakh.
He also laid foundation stones for the installation of 300 hand pumps in the Khatima area at a cost of ₹499.65 lakh, the construction of Maharana Pratap Gate at the new Khatima bus terminal costing ₹29.65 lakh, the construction of hi-tech toilets in Khatima costing ₹24.50 lakh, and the reconstruction of Tharu Inter College, Khatima, at a cost of ₹95 lakh.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, "On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and the Ghughutiya festival, the inauguration of the hi-tech bus stand, built at a cost of over ₹11 crore, is a matter of great joy for the entire region."
He recalled that he had personally made repeated efforts and announcements for the establishment of this bus stand, which has now become a reality. The new bus station will make transportation more convenient and organised while also creating new opportunities for local trade, tourism and employment, thereby accelerating regional development.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state is setting new benchmarks of development and prosperity. From cities to remote hill villages, infrastructure for roads, education, health, and drinking water is being strengthened.
The government is committed to bringing the person standing at the last rung of society into the mainstream. Calling Khatima his home, the Chief Minister said that every resident of Khatima is a member of his family. He began his public service journey in Khatima, and every lane and village in the area is close to his heart. The soil and people of Khatima give him energy and inspiration to work for the development of the state.
He said, "The state government is continuously striving to promote the overall development of Khatima. To improve connectivity, works such as the Gadarpur-Khatima bypass, a bridge at Nausar, and a wide network of roads have been ensured."
A Kendriya Vidyalaya has been established in Khatima, and a national-level modern sports stadium has been built in Chakarpur. Modern ITI and Polytechnic College facilities and a new 100-bed hospital campus have strengthened basic amenities. A Saathi Centre for students and SIDCUL for industrial growth have also been established.
He informed us that a grand military memorial will be built between Khatima and Tanakpur, with work to begin soon, the statement said.
The Chief Minister said, "Work is underway for the construction of an international-level airport in Pantnagar, which will start soon. M.Com and M.Sc classes have been started at Government Degree College, Khatima, and an Eklavya School has begun in the tribal-dominated area."
The Jamrani Dam multipurpose project has been restarted to resolve drinking water and irrigation issues across the Terai region. Efforts are also being made to establish an AIIMS satellite centre and develop an industrial smart city in Khurpia to accelerate regional growth. He assured that there will be no shortage in Khatima's development in the future.
He stated that to curb riot politics, the state has enacted a strict anti-riot law under which compensation for damages during riots will be recovered from the rioters themselves. The government has also decided to abolish the Madrasa Board through a new law.
After its implementation, only those madrasas in Uttarakhand will be allowed to operate after July 1, 2026, which follow the curriculum prescribed by government boards. Over 250 illegally operating madrasas have already been closed. The aim is to establish institutions of education that provide quality learning as per prescribed standards.
He added that through "Operation Kaalnemi", strict action is being taken against impostors who defame Sanatan culture.
The Chief Minister further said, "The state has implemented the country's strictest anti-cheating law to ensure transparency in recruitment and curb cheating mafias. As a result, around 27,000 youths have secured government jobs in the last four and a half years, a new record."
More than 100 cheating mafias have been sent to jail in the past four years. He said that to eliminate inequalities and ensure equal rights and justice for all, Uttarakhand became the first in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code.
Emphasising that Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi, he said, "No conspiracy against its culture, identity and dignity will be tolerated."
Member of Parliament Ajay Bhatt and former MLA Prem Singh Rana congratulated the people on the inauguration of the new bus terminal. They said the bus stand was the dream project of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and thanked him for naming it after Maharana Pratap. They added that other states in the country are following the decisions and initiatives of Chief Minister Dhami, which is a matter of pride, and that he is committed to the comprehensive development of the region and the state.