Gomukh-Gangotri eco-sensitive zone opposed
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Wednesday urged the Centre to review the recent notification declaring the 100 km stretch from Gomukh to Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone.
Participating in the conference of Chief Ministers in New Delhi, Mr. Bahuguna said the notification, if implemented, would adversely affect the infrastructure development in the border district.
Citing ongoing agitations in the area against the notification, Mr. Bahuguna said the anger of the locals was justified as they saw a ray of hope for developing the backward economy through direct or indirect power projects under construction or planned there. Development activity in the region was also important to combat natural calamities there.
Mr. Bahuguna also stressed the need to accelerate road construction projects in the State, especially in areas bordering China and Nepal, an official release here said.
There was an urgent need to repair and improve roads on the Char Dham Yatra route which were under BRO.
Border roads in the State also needed to be constructed at the earliest keeping in mind the infrastructure development being carried out by China close to the Indian border, the Chief Minister said, adding that declaration of the Gomukh-Gangotri area as eco-sensitive will stall such border road projects also.
Mr. Bahuguna sought Rs. 30 crore per year for modernisation of police in the 90:10 ratio.
Supporting creation of the NCTC, Mr. Bahuguna said there was need for such an agency against terrorism. He suggested that instead of imprisoning the person arrested by the agency, the person should first be produced before a Magistrate.