Daijiworld Media Network - Dehradun
Dehradun, Sep 13: The Uttarakhand government is preparing to launch a month-long ‘Seva Sankalp’ campaign from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17 to October 17, combining public service initiatives with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the campaign will feature 11 activities involving students, women, youth, parents, beneficiaries, public representatives and civil society.
“The idea is not merely to showcase schemes and achievements but to make citizens active partners through service, dialogue, innovation and public participation,” Dhami said.
The month-long programme will include lamp-lighting ceremonies, plays, Anganwadi outreach programmes, plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns and health camps, among other activities.
Meanwhile, every government and private school in Uttarakhand will be required to prepare a disaster-management plan based on its local geography and potential risks.
The initiative follows directions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Disaster Management Minister Madan Kaushik.
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said each school’s plan would identify potential hazards, evacuation routes, assembly points and responsibilities of staff and other stakeholders.
Schools will specifically assess risks arising from earthquakes, landslides, floods, cloudbursts, avalanches and fires.
The plans will also include emergency contact details, first-aid kits, rescue equipment, parent-alert mechanisms and mandatory mock drills to ensure students and staff are prepared to respond during emergencies.
Uttarakhand’s hill roads are also set to get some relief from traffic congestion, with the Housing Department completing 63 parking projects providing space for 4,202 vehicles across 10 districts over the past four years.
Almora has the highest number of parking spaces at 1,087, followed by Nainital with 679 and Champawat with 600.
The district-wise parking capacity includes 477 spaces in Uttarkashi, 309 in Pithoragarh, 304 in Rudraprayag, 256 in Pauri, 201 in Chamoli, 163 in Tehri and 126 in Bageshwar.
Depending on land availability and local requirements, the projects include surface, multilevel and automated parking facilities.
The state government said the expansion is aimed at easing traffic congestion for local residents, tourists and pilgrims visiting Uttarakhand, including those undertaking the Char Dham pilgrimage.