CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Inaugurates Devbhoomi Silver Jubilee Parks in Rishikesh, Launches Development Projects Worth Over ₹36 Crore

 

Nine urban local bodies across four districts get new public parks; eight waste collection vehicles flagged off to strengthen urban sanitation

 

Seven development projects inaugurated and foundation stones laid in Dehradun district as Uttarakhand government focuses on clean, green and modern cities

 

RISHIKESH: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday inaugurated the Devbhoomi Silver Jubilee Parks and inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several development projects at a programme held in Chandreshwar Nagar, Rishikesh.

The Chief Minister dedicated newly developed Devbhoomi Silver Jubilee Parks in nine urban local bodies across Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Uttarkashi districts to the public. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for seven development projects in Dehradun district, involving an investment of more than ₹36 crore.

On the occasion, Dhami flagged off eight waste collection vehicles to strengthen sanitation arrangements in urban local bodies. He said the state government was committed to developing clean, attractive, environmentally sustainable and modern cities across Uttarakhand.

 

Silver Jubilee Parks to Preserve the Legacy of Statehood

Extending greetings to the people on the occasion of Uttarakhand State Foundation Day, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the martyrs and activists of the statehood movement.

He said the government had resolved during the state’s Silver Jubilee celebrations that the memories of Uttarakhand’s formation should not remain confined to official ceremonies but should be reflected in tangible development initiatives.

With this objective, the government decided to develop Devbhoomi Silver Jubilee Parks in urban areas across the state.

Dhami observed that locations once occupied by garbage heaps and overgrown bushes were now being transformed into green and well-maintained public spaces. These parks will provide recreational facilities for children, walking spaces for senior citizens, seating areas for women, and dedicated spaces for yoga and exercise for young people.

He added that the parks would also showcase Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, folk traditions and native vegetation. He urged urban local bodies to ensure their proper maintenance through active public participation.

 

Uttarakhand Strengthening Urban Sanitation and Waste Management

The Chief Minister said the government’s priority was to extend the benefits of development to every town and ward. Along with expanding urban infrastructure, the government was focusing on sanitation, environmental conservation and improved civic amenities.

He stated that all 108 urban local bodies in Uttarakhand had achieved Open Defecation Free status. Rishikesh and Haridwar had also received Water Plus certification.

More than 90 per cent of municipal waste generated in urban areas is being scientifically processed. Through the remediation of legacy waste, approximately 109 acres of land have been reclaimed for productive use.

The Chief Minister further said that waste-to-biogas production had commenced in Rudrapur and Mussoorie. More than 60,000 kilograms of plastic had been collected through the Digital Deposit Refund System implemented along the Char Dham pilgrimage routes.

A comprehensive sanitation action plan worth approximately ₹1,375 crore has been prepared for 107 urban local bodies. Under the initiative, 27 sewage and faecal sludge treatment plants are being established.

The government is also promoting mechanisation in sanitation operations to ensure that sanitation workers, known as Paryavaran Mitras, do not have to work under unsafe conditions.

 

Expansion of Drinking Water, Sewerage and Urban Infrastructure

Dhami emphasised that access to clean drinking water, efficient sewerage systems and reliable infrastructure was essential for improving the quality of urban life.

Under the first phase of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), 148 of the 151 approved projects have been completed. These projects have provided tap water connections to more than 72,000 households.

Under AMRUT 2.0, projects worth approximately ₹650 crore are being implemented to extend drinking water facilities to an additional 40,000 households while also focusing on the rejuvenation of water sources and ponds.

In addition, urban infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹874 crore are being undertaken in selected cities, including Rishikesh, to improve drinking water supply, sewerage systems and other essential civic facilities.

 

Over 50,000 Families Receive Houses Under PMAY-Urban

The Chief Minister said urban development would be meaningful only when its benefits reached the last person in society.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U), more than 62,000 houses have been sanctioned in Uttarakhand, while over 50,000 families have already been provided with permanent houses.

The state is also operating 35 night shelters to support homeless and needy people. Additionally, 114 urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have provided healthcare services to more than three lakh people closer to their homes.

 

Digital Governance to Make Municipal Services More Accessible

Dhami said good governance meant ensuring that citizens did not have to visit government offices repeatedly for routine services.

To achieve this, the state government is progressively digitising municipal services. Through the ‘Upyog’ platform, facilities such as property tax payments, mutation services and trade licences are being made available online.

Keeping the upcoming Kumbh-2027 in view, a digital sanitation monitoring system is also being developed in Haridwar to ensure clean and well-managed facilities for pilgrims visiting from across the country and abroad.

 

Rudrapur and Kashipur Recognised for Sanitation Performance

The Chief Minister congratulated the municipal corporations of Rudrapur and Kashipur for being selected for national awards under Swachh Survekshan 2025-26.

He said the recognition reflected the collective efforts of sanitation workers, urban local bodies and citizens.

Dhami stressed that cleanliness should not be treated merely as a government campaign but should become an integral part of every citizen’s daily lifestyle. Public participation, he said, was essential to building clean, attractive and well-organised cities.

 

Government Focuses on Employment and Youth Empowerment

The Chief Minister said the state government was continuously working to secure the future of young people and create more employment opportunities.

He noted that a stringent anti-cheating law had been implemented to ensure transparency in recruitment examinations and selection processes. More than 35,000 young people had secured government jobs in the state over the past five years.

New livelihood opportunities are also being developed through tourism, homestays, local products, agriculture and self-employment initiatives.

The government’s objective, he said, was to build a self-reliant Uttarakhand where young people would not be compelled to migrate in search of employment.

 

Preserving Uttarakhand’s Cultural Identity and Natural Heritage

Dhami said the state government was pursuing development while protecting Uttarakhand’s cultural identity, natural resources and distinctive character.

He highlighted the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code and the introduction of a stringent land law, along with other important policy decisions.

He reiterated that good governance, transparency and effective enforcement of the law remained key priorities alongside development.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working towards positioning Uttarakhand among the leading states of the country.

The Chief Minister appealed to citizens to actively participate in cleanliness drives, environmental conservation and development initiatives, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a developed Uttarakhand.

 

Dignitaries Present

Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, Rishikesh MLA Premchand Aggarwal, Rishikesh Municipal Corporation Mayor Shambhu Paswan, BJP Dehradun District President Rajendra Tadiyal, Uttarakhand State Commission for Women Chairperson Kusum Kandwal and Director of Urban Development Vinod Giri Goswami were among those present.

Several public representatives, government officials and a large number of local residents also attended the programme.