Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Mukhwa and Harsil in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, to promote religious tourism and local economic growth through various events, including a trek and bike rally. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expresses excitement about the visit's potential impact on tourism and economic development.Key Takeaways
- PM Modi to visit Mukhwa and Harsil.
- Focus on enhancing religious tourism.
- Launch of trek and bike rally.
- Approval of major ropeway projects.
- Promotion of local economic growth.
Uttarkashi, March 6 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Mukhwa and Harsil in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, on Thursday, participating in various events focused on enhancing religious tourism and stimulating local economic growth.
His itinerary will commence with prayers at the winter abode of River Ganga in Mukhwa at 9:30 a.m. Following this, he will proceed to Harsil Valley, where he will officially launch a trek and bike rally and deliver a speech to attendees.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the Prime Minister's visit, offering a heartfelt welcome, stating, "A warm welcome and greetings to the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji upon his arrival in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, the sacred land of faith, spirituality, and sacrifice."
"All of us in the state are excited to greet the esteemed Prime Minister on the spiritually and naturally rich land of Mukhwa-Harsil (Uttarkashi)," he added.
The Chief Minister expressed optimism about the visit's potential impact, saying, "Certainly, this winter journey of yours will open new avenues for cultural, spiritual, and tourism growth in our state."
This visit coincides with the Uttarakhand government's recently initiated Winter Tourism programme, which has already attracted thousands of pilgrims to the winter sites of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
The initiative aims to promote religious tourism while also supporting local businesses, including homestays and tourism-related ventures.
On the eve of the visit, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Modi, approved two significant ropeway projects in Uttarakhand.
One project involves a 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, estimated to cost Rs 4,081.28 crore under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model. The second ropeway, measuring 12.4 km from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji, has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 2,730.13 crore.
The CCEA states that these ropeway projects will not only improve last-mile connectivity for devotees but also generate significant job opportunities during both construction and operational phases.
The initiatives are anticipated to greatly enhance the region’s socio-economic development, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, travel, food and beverages, and tourism.
Through these efforts, Uttarakhand seeks to establish itself as a year-round destination for religious and adventure tourism while bolstering infrastructure for both devotees and tourists.
