Amit Shah Launches ₹1,132 Crore Projects in Haridwar, Reviews Uttarakhand’s Development

Addressing the gathering, Shah said the occasion marks both four years of the Dhami government and nine years of his party’s governance in Uttarakhand.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for public welfare projects worth over ₹1,132 crore in Haridwar, marking the completion of four years of the Uttarakhand government led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Union Minister Ajay Tamta and several other leaders were present at the event.

The projects span infrastructure, connectivity and public services, aimed at accelerating development in the Himalayan state.

Tribute to Uttarakhand’s Statehood Movement

Addressing the gathering, Shah said the occasion marks both four years of the Dhami government and nine years of his party’s governance in Uttarakhand.

Recalling the struggle for statehood, he said Uttarakhand’s youth had once taken to the streets demanding a separate state to protect their identity and culture. He also referred to the Rampur Tiraha firing incident, where protesters were killed during the statehood movement.

Shah noted that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee played a decisive role in creating Uttarakhand, along with Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, demonstrating that smaller states can also achieve strong economic growth and development.

₹1,130 Crore Welfare Projects Unveiled

The Home Minister said the inauguration and foundation laying of projects worth more than ₹1,130 crore would further strengthen the state’s development trajectory.

He praised Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for addressing key governance challenges and pushing development initiatives across sectors during the past four years.

According to Shah, Uttarakhand is now progressing rapidly through infrastructure expansion, improved public services and welfare programmes.

Criminal Law Reforms and Justice Delivery

Shah also highlighted reforms in India’s criminal justice system under the new criminal laws replacing colonial-era legislation.

He said the new legal framework—often referred to as the New Nyaya Sanhita—would modernise the criminal justice system. According to him, once fully implemented by 2028, the process from registration of an FIR to the Supreme Court verdict could be completed within three years.

An exhibition on the new criminal laws was also organised during the event.

Jobs and Transparency in Recruitment

During the programme, 1,900 youth were appointed as police constables in Uttarakhand.

Shah said the recruitment process is now transparent and merit-based, adding that earlier employment often depended on “parchi” (recommendation) and “kharchi” (money).

He credited the anti-cheating law introduced by the state government for ensuring fairness in competitive examinations and recruitment.

Citizenship for Refugees Under CAA

The Home Minister said 162 refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan had recently received Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

He stated that persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have the right to seek refuge and citizenship in India after facing religious persecution.

Infrastructure and Development Investments

Shah highlighted several infrastructure initiatives supported by the Centre, including major highway, railway and connectivity projects.

Key projects mentioned include:

• ₹12,000 crore Char Dham Mahamarg Project connecting Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri

• ₹8,000 crore Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor

• ₹5,000 crore investment in 30 national highways

• ₹2,200 crore road development in Tanakpur region

He also noted major investments in rail connectivity, including three new railway projects worth ₹26,000 crore, electrification of 303 km of railway lines, and development of 11 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

Work is also underway on India’s longest railway tunnel between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag.

Growth in Economy and Infrastructure

Shah said Uttarakhand’s development indicators have improved significantly in recent years.

• Per capita income has increased from about ₹1.8 lakh to around ₹2.74 lakh

• Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has grown from about ₹2.22 lakh crore to ₹3.82 lakh crore

He also highlighted improvements in railway funding, which increased from an average of ₹187 crore before 2014 to around ₹4,770 crore annually in recent years.

Welfare Schemes Benefiting Millions

Shah listed several central welfare schemes benefiting residents of Uttarakhand:

• Over 10 lakh farmers receiving support under PM-Kisan

• 14 lakh households connected through Jal Jeevan Mission

• 62 lakh beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat health insurance

• 5.8 lakh household toilets built under Swachh Bharat Mission

• 60 lakh people receiving free food grains under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

• More than 5.3 lakh LPG connections under Ujjwala Yojana

He also highlighted ropeway infrastructure development under the Parvatmala Pariyojana, with ₹2,400 crore allocated for projects in the hill state.

Vibrant Villages Programme for Border Areas

Shah said Uttarakhand stands to benefit significantly from the Vibrant Villages Programme, which aims to develop border villages and reduce migration from remote areas.

The initiative includes infrastructure development, livelihood support and improved connectivity in strategic border regions.

Uttarakhand First State to Implement Uniform Civil Code

Shah praised the state government for implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), calling Uttarakhand the first state in India to adopt such legislation.

According to him, the law ensures equal legal provisions for all citizens irrespective of religion.

Development of Religious and Cultural Sites

The Home Minister also highlighted national initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s cultural heritage, including the redevelopment of Kedarnath and Badrinath, construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok Corridor in Ujjain, and the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

He said these initiatives have strengthened cultural tourism and religious heritage across the country.

Preparing for Haridwar Kumbh 2027

Shah also announced that the Central Government has allocated substantial funds for preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, calling it a major event of national significance.

“The Haridwar Kumbh is the pride of the entire country,” he said.

Call for Continued Development

Concluding his address, Shah said the people of Uttarakhand must choose a path that prioritises development, transparency and governance.

He said the government has focused on infrastructure development, welfare schemes, job creation and cultural preservation while strengthening the state’s economic growth.