Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Saturday that his government has devised a master plan worth Rs 424 crore for enhancing facilities at the Badrinath temple in the state.

Dhami emphasised that his administration is dedicated to improving pilgrimage sites across the state while ensuring a balanced approach between environmental concerns and economic development.

Dhami announced on X that a master plan costing Rs 424 crore has been formulated to upgrade facilities at Shri Badrinath temple. He highlighted ongoing development work under this plan, affirming his government's commitment to enhancing pilgrimage sites in Devbhoomi with improved coordination between environmental and economic considerations.

Badrinath temple, located in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, stands as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The state hosts several religious sites nestled in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region, presenting a significant challenge for the government in balancing environmental conservation with the demand for enhanced facilities for pilgrims arriving from across the country.

Chief Minister Dhami met Union Minister of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in New Delhi on Friday. Discussions centered on enhancing communication services in rural areas of Uttarakhand.

During the meeting, Dhami specifically requested the relocation of the post office in Tallital, Nainital, and urged prompt action on land acquisition for setting up 481 BSNL towers, along with the operationalisation of towers in Gunji.

Earlier,Dhami held discussions with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. He urged the initiation of expansion plans for Pantnagar Airport in Udham Singh Nagar district and expedited permissions for expanding Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun to attain international status.

Additionally, Chief Minister Dhami met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. The focus of their meeting was on advancing ongoing and proposed road connectivity projects in Uttarakhand.

Dhami highlighted the significance of improving the state's road infrastructure and requested Minister Gadkari to issue notifications for six routes that were earmarked for National Highway status in principle back in 2016.

Image source: India Today