NEW DEHLI: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of two hydropower projects and launched Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-III in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh on Thursday.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that two days ago he was visiting the city of Mahakal, and today he has come to the refuge of Mani Maheshwar. The Prime Minister also recalled the letter received from a teacher from the area who shared details of Chamba with the Prime Minister. The letter was shared by the Prime Minister in Mann ki Baat.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that he got the opportunity to launch multiple projects on road connectivity and employment generation for Chamba and other remote villages. Remembering his days in Himachal Pradesh, the Prime Minister mentioned that today, the adage that ‘Pahad ka Paani aur Pahad ki Jawani Pahad ke Kaam nahi aati’ i.e. Youth and water of hills is not used for hills, is changing. “Now the youth of hills will play an active part in the development of the area”, he said.
“The next 25 years are very crucial for 130 crore Indians”, said the Prime Minister. He added, “India’s Azadi ka Amrit Kaal has begun during which we have to accomplish the goal of making India a developed country. In the coming few months, 75 years of the establishment of Himachal are also going to be completed. That is, when India celebrates 100 years of independence, Himachal will also celebrate 100 years of its establishment. That is why every day of the coming 25 years is very important for us”, the Prime Minister elaborated.
The Prime Minister recalled the days when Himachal Pradesh had little influence in Delhi and its demands and requests were ignored resulting in important places of faith and natural beauty like Chamba, lagging behind in the development race. Shri Modi informed that special attention was paid to it as Aspirational District as he was aware of the strengths of Chamba. He also expressed happiness about children from Kerala coming to Himachal in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
The Prime Minister noted that Himachal today realizes the strength of the double-engine government which has doubled the pace of development in the state. The Prime Minister remarked that the previous governments would provide services to only those areas where the burden of work and stress remained low and political benefits were high. As a result, the development rate of remote and tribal areas remained fairly low. “Be it roads, electricity or water, the people of such areas were the last ones to receive benefits”, Shri Modi said, “The working style of double-engine government is different from the rest. Our priority is how to make people’s lives easier. That’s why we are giving maximum emphasis on tribal areas, and hilly areas.” He listed measures like providing gas connections, piped water, health services, Ayushman Bharat, and road connectivity that are changing lives in remote and hilly areas. “If we are making wellness centres in the villages, at the same time, we are opening medical colleges too in the districts”, he emphasized. He also mentioned how Himachal was prioritized in vaccination in order to protect tourism. Shri Modi complimented the Chief Minister and his team for reaching cent per cent vaccination the fastest in the country.
Talking about the construction of rural roads, the Prime Minister said that till 2014, rural roads of 7000 km in length were constructed since Independence with an expenditure of 1800 crores but in the last 8 years, 12000 km of roads with a financial outlay of just 5000 crores have been constructed. Schemes started today will create 3000 km of rural roads, he informed.
The Prime Minister said that gone are the days when Himachal Pradesh used to come to Delhi with requests. Now Himachal comes with information about new projects and details of its progress and demands for its rights. “Your (people’s) order is supreme for me. You are my high command. I consider this my good fortune, that is why serving you has different joy and gives me energy”, the Prime Minister said.
Underlining the development in the last 8 years, the Prime Minister said, “A Maha Yagya of rapid development is going on in the hilly areas, in the inaccessible areas, in the tribal areas all over the country.” Shri Modi informed that its benefits are not only limited to Chamba of Himachal but areas like Pangi-Bharmaur, Chhota-Bada Bhangal, Girimpar, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti are also reaping the benefit. He congratulated Chamba for securing second place in the development ranking of Aspirational Districts.
—PIB

Press Trust of India