Rudrapur: Welcoming Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said that Uttarakhand is scaling new heights in investment, innovation, and industrial development, with over ₹1 lakh crore worth of projects grounded as a result of the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023.
At a grand ceremony, projects worth ₹1342 crore were inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid. The CM said this milestone is not just an economic achievement but a reflection of the state’s entrepreneurial spirit, inclusive growth, and the strong participation of its people.
“Out of investment proposals worth over ₹3.56 lakh crore, we’ve already grounded more than ₹1 lakh crore,” Dhami stated. “This demonstrates Uttarakhand’s growing reputation as a reliable and forward-looking investment destination.”
Highlighting India’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhami said that the ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, and ‘Startup India’ initiatives have propelled India to become the fourth largest economy globally, and the third-largest startup ecosystem.
The Chief Minister outlined key steps the state has taken, including:
Implementation of over 30 investor-friendly policies (Industrial, Logistics, MSME, Startup, etc.)
Establishment of a ₹200 crore Venture Fund for startups
Creation of dedicated industrial zones like Aroma Park (Kashipur), Plastic Park (Sitarganj), Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (Kashipur), and the Multimodal Logistics Park (Pantnagar)
Development of a Smart Industrial City in Khurpiya at a cost of ₹1300 crore
Digitalization of over 260 business services
Recognition as Achiever in Ease of Doing Business and Leader in Startup Rankings
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan emphasized that Uttarakhand has positioned itself as a peaceful, efficient, and investor-friendly state ready for future industrial opportunities.
Notable voices praised the state’s progress:
Baba Ramdev hailed Uttarakhand as the crown of Bharat, commending the state’s wellness and renewable energy policies, and the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.
Dr. Sunil Rai (Chairman, UPES) noted that connectivity and education infrastructure have improved dramatically, enhancing investment potential.
Pawan Agarwal (MD, Naini Papers) shared that his new plant has created 300 jobs, using sustainable practices like sugarcane bagasse and agroforestry-based raw materials.
Union Minister Amit Shah, Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri, Minister Ajay Tamta, MPs Ajay Bhatt, Mahendra Bhatt, and other dignitaries were present. The event also featured a vibrant cultural welcome and an exhibition tour by the Home Minister.
