Uttarakhand News: Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday inaugurated and dedicated to the public the 220.90 meter long pre-stressed girder bridge (Dhangarhi Bridge), built at a cost of Rs 29.65 crore, over the Dhangarhi drain on National Highway No. 121 (New National Highway-309). This national highway is located on the Kashipur-Ramnagar-Marchula-Buwakhal road, which is located in the Kumaon and Garhwal divisions. It is a very important connectivity route. Apart from being the main gateway to the world famous Jim Corbett National Park, it is very important from the point of view of daily traffic, trade, tourism and essential services of millions of people including Nainital, Almora, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Pauri Garhwal.
The road was often blocked due to rising water level in Dhangadhi drain during the rainy season, due to which the common people, tourists and emergency services had to face huge difficulties. The construction of the newly constructed bridge will ensure a permanent solution to this problem. Besides, smooth traffic flow in the forest area will also promote wildlife conservation and environmental balance.
In his address, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the inauguration of Dhangadhi Bridge is not just the inauguration of a bridge, but a meaningful culmination of years of struggle, patience and expectations of the people of the area. He said that during the rainy season, the road was blocked due to rising water level in Dhangadhi drain, which affected life, business, tourism and emergency services. In order to provide a permanent solution to this problem, the state government has given priority to this project and got it completed in a time bound manner.
The Chief Minister said that Dhangarhi Setu is an important bridge of entire Uttarakhand, which strongly connects Kumaon and Garhwal divisions. With the construction of this bridge, traffic between the two divisions will be more safe and easy and will give new impetus to tourism, trade, local economy and regional development.
He said that the state government has completed five years of “service, good governance and development” and has worked to bring development to every area of the state. The priority of the government has been to extend the benefits of development to the last mile. In accordance with this thinking, historic work is being done in various fields in the state including modern roads, strong bridges, extensive rail network, ropeway, health, education, tourism and development of border areas.
The Chief Minister said that the working culture of the state government is based on “simplification, solution, resolution and satisfaction”. Accordingly, the schemes for which the foundation stone is laid, their construction is completed in a timely manner and their inauguration is also ensured, so that the public can get the benefits soon.
He said that completion of five years of the government is not only a celebration of achievements but also an opportunity to take new resolutions for building a developed, prosperous and self-reliant Uttarakhand. The state government is continuously working to take Uttarakhand to new heights by accelerating the pace of development. The Chief Minister said that the construction work of 175.60 meter long Panaud Bridge, built at a cost of about Rs 18.43 crore near Dhangadhi Bridge, has also almost been completed. At present, traffic is being operated on this bridge and after completing the final work of asphalting soon, it will also be dedicated to the public. He said that Dhangadhi Setu and Panaud Bridge will prove to be a strong foundation of development of this entire region and are a strong symbol of the government’s commitment towards balanced development, safe transportation and public welfare.
In his address, the Chief Minister also assured appropriate action on the problems of the families living in the forest areas of Ramnagar area. He also informed that proposals for widening of other important motor roads including Ramnagar-Ranikhet motor road have been sent to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India and necessary action is in progress.
On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Ajay Tamta said that the construction of Dhangadhi Bridge will ensure safe and uninterrupted traffic throughout the year. The problem of road blockage during rainy season will end and the possibility of accidents will reduce. He said that this bridge will further strengthen the connectivity between Kumaon and Garhwal and will also provide new impetus to trade, agriculture, tourism, education and health services. Devotees going on Chardham Yatra and tourists from India and abroad visiting Jim Corbett National Park will also get direct benefits from it. He said that the construction work of Panaud Bridge, built at a cost of about Rs 18.43 crore, is also in the final stage.
During the program, the Chief Minister prayed for the happiness, peace and prosperity of the state by offering prayers at the Garjiya Devi temple. After this, he took a walking tour of the newly constructed Dhangadhi Bridge and also observed the wildlife coming near the bridge on the border of Corbett Tiger Reserve. On this occasion, MLA Ramnagar Mr. Diwan Singh Bisht, MLA Salt Mr. Mahesh Jeena, MLA Ranikhet Mr. Pramod Nainwal, BJP District President Mr. Pratap Bisht, Minister of State Mr. Shankar Koranga, Mr. Sanjay Dorby, Mr. Z. A. Warsi, Shri Ganesh Rawat, Shri Ranjan Bargali and other public representatives, District Magistrate Shri Lalit Mohan Rayal, Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Manjunath TC, Chief Development Officer Shri Arvind Kumar Pandey, Superintending Engineer (National Highway) Shri Manohar Singh Dharmashaktu and a large number of regional citizens were present.
