Double engine govt working together to make Uttarakhand developed state: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the double engine government is working together to make Uttarakhand a developed state.

Addressing a public function in Harsil, Uttarakhand, Modi expressed confidence that the tourism sector will witness rapid growth in the coming years, which will boost local employment opportunities.

The Prime Minister said, "Winter tourism is a significant step in this direction, aiding in harnessing Uttarakhand's economic potential".

Talking about this year's budget, he said, "Provision has been made to develop 50 tourist destinations.This will increase facilities for tourists and will also boost local employment."

He shared that before 2014, an average of 18 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham Yatra annually, which has now risen to approximately 50 lakh pilgrims each year.

The Prime Minister announced that this year’s budget includes provisions to develop 50 tourist destinations, granting hotels at these locations the status of infrastructure.

"This initiative will enhance facilities for tourists and promote local employment opportunities," he said.

Recounting the recent cabinet decision of approving the Kedarnath Ropeway Project and the Hemkund Ropeway Project he noted that the Kedarnath Ropeway will reduce the travel time from 8-9 hours to approximately 30 minutes, making the journey more accessible, especially for the elderly and children.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized that thousands of crores of rupees will be invested in these ropeway projects.

Emphasising the government's efforts to ensure that border areas of Uttarakhand also benefit from tourism, the Prime Minister said, “villages once referred to as the "last villages" are now being called the "first villages" of the country”.

He highlighted the launch of the Vibrant Village Program for their development, under which 10 villages from this region have been included.

The prime minister added that the government has worked to ensure the erstwhile emptied villages of Mana and Jadung in 1962, have been restored.

"As a result, the number of tourists visiting Uttarakhand has increased significantly over the past decade," he added.

During the visit, Narendra Modi participated in the Winter Tourism Program after flagging off a trek and bike rally at Harsil, Uttarakhand.

He also performed pooja and darshan at the winter seat of Maa Ganga in Mukhwa.