CM unhappy at slow pace of Ardh Kumbh projects

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 31

Chief Minister Harish Rawat at a meeting at the CCR tower here yesterday expressed unhappiness at the delay in most of the infrastructure works being implemented for the Ardh Kumbh fair.

The Chief Minister assured government departments of all financial assistance and said though the grant from the Central government was still not received, the state government was committed to ensuing a successful Ardh Kumbh.

“We have sanctioned Rs 250 crore for permanent nature works for Ardh Kumbh. For the 51 approved projects for the Ardh Kumbh fair worth Rs 188 crore, the state government has sanctioned Rs 81 crore to various government departments and nodal agencies. Another 88 projects are in the pipeline for which additional Rs 68 crore is required. For temporary works too we are allocating additional Rs 202 crore, but we must ensure that all works are completed before the Ardh Kumbh fair,”said Harish Rawat.

The Chief Minister was unhappy at the snail’s pace of construction of barracks at Neelkhant in Pauri Garhwal and said such a work culture was not acceptable and all government departments should ensure speedy completion and quality in works.

Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh, Urban Development Minister Preetam Singh Panwar, Environment Minister Dinesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Om Prakash, Urban Development Secretary DS Gabriyal, Home Secretary Vinod Sharma, District Magistrate Harish Chand Semwal and other nodal officers attended the meeting.

Earlier the Chief Minister paid obeisance at the revered shrine of the Mata Chudamani temple and performed rituals.