Chief Minister lays foundation stone of Mata Baglamuhki Ropeway for Baglamukhi temple

The Himachal Herald, Mandi 

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today laid foundation stone of 800 meter Mata Baglamuhki Ropeway for Baglamukhi temple in Mandi district. This ropeway is the first ropeway in the State which was being constructed after the Government of India has allowed construction of ropeways for rural connectivity through NABARD funding.

While addressing the people on the occasion at Bakhli in Mandi district , the Chief Minister said that this ropeway would be constructed within a year by spending an amount of Rs. 50 crore. He said that this ropeway would be constructed by M/S Doppelmayr India Pvt. Ltd. and BEKAM Infra Ltd. by using Aerial Tram Way technology and in accordance with CEN Standards on Engineering Procurement and Construction Mode. He said that one end of this ropeway walls in Drang Vidhan Sabha area and another in Seraj Vidhan Sabha area. He said that the matter for seeking higher VGF for ropeway projects on PPP mode with cost sharing by the Government of India and State in the ratio of 90:10 has been taken up with the Union Government.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has also posed four ropeways to National Highway Logistic Management Limited for funding to the Centre. He said that out of these DPR’s one has been prepared for ropeway from Bharmour to Bharmani Mata Temple in Chamba district to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 120 crore. He said that another ropeways posed for funding are Rs. 605 crore Palampur-Thaatri-Chaugan in Kangra district, Rs. 200 crore Bijli Mahadev in Kullu district and ropeway from Shirgul Mahadev Temple to Churdhar in Sirmour district.

Jai Ram Thakur accused the Congress leader from Drang area for misleading the people in matter of development. He said that it seems that Kaul Singh Thakur has developed a phobia regarding the present Government and the developmental history it has created during the last four years. He said that Eco-Park at Bakhli would also be completed by next month to facilitate the tourists and local people. He said that work on first phase of Rs.150 crore Shiv Dham was going on in fast pace which on completion would be an added attraction for the tourists and local populace. He said that efforts would be made to link the Nature Pak at Bakhli with this ropeway in second phase.

The Chief Minister said that the new tourist destination were being development under Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein scheme. He said that Largi, Pong Dam and Kol Dams were being developed as water sports destination, Bir Billing as adventure sports destination and Chanshal as winter sports destination. Similarly, Jhenjheli area in Mandi district was being developed as eco-tourism destination, he added.

Earlier, the Chief Minister performed Bhumi Pujan of Industrial Estate Pandoh Phase-1 at Pandoh in Mandi district. He said that an estimated 30-35 sheds would be constructed, in which priority will be given to mainly handloom and fashion design. He directed the concerned authorities to transfer the adjoining 12 bighas land for second phase of this Industrial Estate.

Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was also striving to making Himachal Pradesh an industrial hub of the country. He said that the Global Investor’s Meet was held at Dharamshala in 2019, which was graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that recently 2nd ground breaking ceremony was held at Mandi again in august presence of the Prime Minister in which as many as 287 MoUs worth Rs 28,197 crore were signed on the occasion. He said that the Government of India has approved first Medical Device Park in Nalagarh, with project cost of about Rs. 350 crores. He said that grant of 100 crores would be made available from the Government of India for this Park. It will have an estimated capital investment of about Rs. 5000 crores and employment of about 10,000 people, he added.

The Chief Minister announced opening of PHC at Bandal, Ayurveda Dispensary at Sarachi, Health sub-centre at Bakhli, New Patwar circle at Tandi, construction of Forest Inspection Hut Fangain and construction of new building of GSSS Shimlidhar. He also announced upgradation of Government Primary School Bari Kochra to Middle School, upgradation of Govt. Primary School Kanditilli to Middle School, upgradation of Govt. Middle School Kalni to High School, opening of Primary School at Sampur and Daral, upgradation of Primary School Majhan to Middle School. He also announced construction of two additional rooms at Primary School Bakhli.

On the occasion two minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect for legendary singer Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, who breathed her last in Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital today.

The Chief Minister also visited first Middle School in the State under CCTV surveillance at Tawarfi and planted a sapling in the school campus.

MLA Drang Jawahar Thakur welcomed the Chief Minister and urged the people to give their wholehearted support ensure that the BJP again form Government in the State in 2022 Vidhan Sabha Election and Jai Ram Thakur again becomes the Chief Minister of the State.

Pradhan Tandi Panchayat Amaravati Devi welcomed the Chief Minister to her Panchayat and detailed various developmental demands of the area.

Chairperson State Hospital Welfare Society and wife of the Chief Minister Dr. Sadhna Thakur, Chairman MILKFED Nehal Sharma, Chairman Waqf Board Mohd. Rajbali, Chairman Zila Parishad Pal Verma, General Secretary Child Welfare Council Payal Vaidya, BJP Mandal Seraj Bhagirath Sharma, Principal Secretary Transport R.D. Nazeem, Director Ropeways Corporation Ajay Sharma, CEO M/S Doppelmayr India Pvt Ltd. and BEKAM Infra Ltd. Prafull Chaudhary were present on the occasion among others.