Create facilities for tourism flow: PM to Uttarakhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday advised Uttarakhand government to utilise the present construction season for completing pending works to create facilities and infrastructure to better sustain tourism flows in the years to come.

His remarks came during a review meeting over Kedarnath Dham development and reconstruction project with the Uttarakhand government via video conferencing. Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat and other senior state officials also participated in the discussion.

Laying out his vision for the reconstruction of the shrine, Modi said that the state government should envision and design development projects for holy sites like Kedarnath and Badrinath in a way and manner that stands the test of time and is yet eco-friendly and in harmony with nature and its surroundings.

Keeping in mind the present situation and comparatively lean pressure in terms of tourists and pilgrims to the holy sites, the Prime Minister suggested that the "present construction season could be utilized for completing pending works by proper distribution of labour pools, keeping in mind the norms of social distancing. This will help create facilities and infrastructure to better sustain tourism flows in the years to come".

As part of specific suggestions, Modi also gave directions for further development of other heritage and religious spots in the stretch extending from Ramban to Kedarnath. This work will be in addition to the re-development of the main shrine in Kedarnath.

The meeting also saw detailed discussions on topics related to status of development of Brahma Kamal vatika (garden) and museum to greet pilgrims-route to Vasuki Taal, redevelopment of old town quarters and properties of historical significance keeping in-tact their original architectural facade as well as other facilities like eco-friendly parking spaces at a proper distance from the shrine and at regular intervals.

( With inputs from IANS )