CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurates the grand makeover & automatic lighting of the historic Ghantaghar — preserving heritage & adding a new sparkle to Doon’s nightlife.
Also Launches Women Empowerment Outlets
Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday inaugurated the grand transformation and automatic lighting of the historic Clock Tower (Ghantaghar) — a landmark that symbolizes the heart of Dehradun. The project, worth approximately ₹1.5 crore, aims to preserve the city’s cultural heritage while enhancing its urban charm and nightlife.
Alongside, the Chief Minister launched four state-of-the-art ‘Hilans-cum-Kitchen’ outlets dedicated to women self-help groups (SHGs). Located in the Clock Tower area, these outlets will promote local hill products, boost women entrepreneurship, and provide residents and tourists with authentic, organic Uttarakhand delicacies.
“Ghantaghar is the pride of Dehradun. Its modern, vibrant look will not only beautify the city but also instill a sense of pride among citizens and attract tourists,” said CM Dhami.
“Through initiatives like Hilans outlets, we are empowering women, promoting local products, and strengthening self-reliance among our sisters from self-help groups,” he added.
The newly inaugurated Hilans canteens have also been established at four other key locations in Dehradun — Collectorate, Coronation Hospital, Guchhupani, and ISBT — providing affordable, high-quality local produce while generating self-employment opportunities for women.
Child Welfare Initiative: From Begging to Schooling
In a significant social intervention, the Chief Minister highlighted a special drive to eliminate child begging in Dehradun. An inter-departmental rescue team — comprising Home Guard, Child Helpline, Police, Education, Labor Department, and NGOs — has been formed with three rescue vehicles to identify and rehabilitate children.
In the first phase, 51 children have already been rescued and admitted to schools. In the second phase, 31 more children were enrolled at Government Primary School Parade Ground and Sadhuram Inter College. An Intensive Care Center worth over ₹1.5 crore is also being constructed at Sadhuram Inter College for their care and education.
“We will continue this mission until every child in Uttarakhand is in school,” affirmed the Chief Minister.
Dehradun on the Path of Modern Urban Development
Reiterating the government’s commitment to making Dehradun a modern, developed city, CM Dhami detailed multiple infrastructure initiatives:
👉🏻 Electric Mobility: 30 electric buses operational; 11 charging stations established for private EVs.
👉🏻 Traffic Solutions: Underground parking projects underway; elevated road plans over Rispana and Bindal rivers to ease congestion.
👉🏻 Ongoing Investments: Development projects worth nearly ₹1,400 crore in progress across Dehradun.
The event was attended by Cabinet Ministers Ganesh Joshi, Subodh Uniyal, MLA Khajan Das, senior officials, local entrepreneurs, and a large gathering of residents who witnessed Dehradun’s heritage taking a vibrant new turn.
