Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Dhami laid the foundation stone for the Khatima-Melaghat road reconstruction work at a cost of Rs 20.89 crore

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday performed the foundation stone laying ceremony for the reconstruction of the Khatima-Melaghat State Highway (State Highway No. 107) in Udham Singh Nagar district, following a formal puja (worship). The project will be constructed at a cost of ₹2089.74 lakh (approximately $2.5 million USD). It includes the reconstruction of an 11.50-kilometer stretch of road, the installation of a drainage system, road safety work, the installation of road signage, and strengthening with TBMs and BCs.

The Chief Minister stated that this road is not only a pivotal element for the development of the Khatima region but also a vital route for India-Nepal border connectivity. The improvement of this road will not only provide easy transportation to Khatima and surrounding rural areas but will also boost border trade, tourism, and education opportunities.

He stated that, along with the road construction, special attention will be paid to preventing soil erosion and improving the local drainage system, ensuring a long-term and safe road. He said that Khatima has now become a hub of education, where students not only from the state but also from border areas are receiving education.

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 said that the Uttarakhand government is advancing 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 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, remarking that maintaining the state’s security, harmony, and cleanliness during these festivals is a shared responsibility.

On this occasion, District Panchayat President Ajay Maurya, Municipal Council President Ramesh Chandra Joshi, duty holder Farzana Begum, Anil Kapoor Dabbu, Shankar Koranga, former MLA Dr. Prem Singh Rana, and others were present.