Uttarakhand seeks approval of Mahabharata Circuit

Uttarakhand’s minister of tourism Satpal Maharaj has urged Prahlad Patel, the Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, to release funds for the ongoing tourism projects in the mountain state. Maharaj requested Patel to provide in-principle approval of the ‘Mahabharata Circuit’ concept note. It’s the state’s pet tourism project as it believes the circuit can be a trailblazer.

The Union minister was also requested to sanction funds for the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘Prasad’ schemes. Maharaj informed Patel that 98% of the construction work of the Eco and Adventure Destination in Tehri has already been completed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The rest of the work involving the construction of the parking area will be completed by September 2020. Similarly, the work of Kumaon Heritage Circuit has been completed, Maharaj said.

He presented a model of Chardham to the Union Minister and thanked him for his continued support and guidance for re-starting the Chardham Yatra in the state. “With the support of the Centre, Char Dham has been re-opened in Uttarakhand and the passengers from the green zone of the state have started to travel there.”

Development of infrastructure facilities along the Kedarnath road under the ‘Prasad Yojana’ is going on at an expected pace and it will be completed by October 2020, he said.

“Due to excessive rainfall and snowfall in the approved plan for Badrinath Dham, earlier progress could not be made, but currently the construction work on the project is being done at a rapid pace. Efforts are being made to complete it within the stipulated time,” Maharaj said.

Under the Prasad scheme, in-principle consent has been provided for the development of tourism facilities in Gangotri and Yamunotri.

Satpal Maharaj requested for early approval of the Government of India’s proposal for centralization of State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM) in Uttarakhand and requested to release the remaining amount of Rs 1 crore out of the approved amount of Rs 4.75 crore for Food Craft Institute (FCI) based at Almora. So far, Rs 3.75 crore central assistance has been released under this head.

“While the Government of Uttarakhand remains committed to completing the development work in the state it is also ensuring that the guidelines of social distancing are maintained. The tourists have started coming to Uttarakhand and we want their journey to be smooth and easy. The construction work of Chardham 4 lane Road is going on at the rapid page and I am looking forward to its completion by the end of this rainy season,” Maharaj added.