Khatima: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction work of the Khatima-Melaghat State Highway (State Highway No. 107) in Udham Singh Nagar district, following a formal puja. The project will be constructed at a cost of ₹2089.74 lakh. It includes the reconstruction of an 11.50-kilometer-long road, a KC drainage system, road safety works, the installation of road signage, and strengthening with TBMs and BCs.
The Chief Minister said that this road is not only a pivot for the development of the Khatima region, but also an important route for the India-Nepal border connectivity. The improvement of this road will not only provide easy transportation to Khatima and surrounding rural areas, but will also provide new impetus to border trade, tourism, and educational opportunities.
He stated that along with road construction, special attention will be paid to preventing soil erosion and improving local drainage systems, ensuring a long-term and safe road. He added that Khatima has now become an educational hub, attracting students not only from the state but also from border areas.
In his address, Chief Minister Dhami stated that the state government’s goal is to make every region of Uttarakhand accessible, empowered, and prosperous. Every development project is a concrete step towards improving the lives of the people. The Khatima-Melaghat road project will also prove to be a milestone in this regard.
He stated that the Uttarakhand government is carrying forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve of “connectivity is the backbone of development.” In line with this spirit, roads are being rapidly expanded and modernized in every region of the state. He directed that the roads be made pothole-free.
At the end of the program, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt greetings to the gathering for the upcoming Diwali and other festivals, stating that it is everyone’s shared responsibility to maintain the state’s security, harmony, and cleanliness during these festivals.
District Panchayat Chairman Ajay Maurya, Municipal Council Chairman Ramesh Chandra Joshi, office-bearers Farzana Begum, Anil Kapoor Dabbu, Shankar Koranga, former MLA Dr. Prem Singh Rana, and others were present on the occasion.
