Addressing migration and rebuilding disaster-hit areas, especially roads, are the government’s priorities, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said on Wednesday. Addressing the media, he recounted the achievements of the Congress since he assumed office as Chief Minister after replacing Congress leader Vijay Bahuguna in February.
On migration, he said: “Our cities are changing to slums, and people living at higher regions are vacating their villages. Demographic imbalance will be the result if the government does not take any step.”
Reviving agricultural practices, fencing villages, and development of meadows would be done, Mr. Rawat said. “[In the years to come] there will be a drastic change in the agronomy of the hilly areas. This is the Congress government’s action plan against migration and it will be executed on a war footing.”
Mr. Rawat said the Char Dham routes would be repaired by April 30. “Reconstruction of roads on the Char Dham yatra routes is my priority. If the yatra [starting on May 2] does not take place, the State will incur a major economic loss.”