Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the two-lane Engineer M. Vishweshvaraya Tunnel near Maa Daat Kali temple in Dehradun (National Highway Number 72 A) on Saturday. Bharat Ratna Engineer M. Vishweshvaraya Tunnel length is 340-meter (With 5 meter pathway on both sides), height is 5.50 meter, carriage and width is 7.50 meter and footpath of tunnel on both sides is 1.5 meter wide. The transit route towards Tunnel from Dehradun is 255 meters and towards Saharanpur it is 205 meters. The construction work of the tunnel has been completed eight months before the scheduled time. The approved cost of tunnel construction was Rs. 71.93 crore and the original contract was Rs. 56.01 crore.
On this occasion, Chief Minister said that Bharat Ratna Engineer M. Vishweshvaraya Tunnel is dedicated to our talented and hardworking engineers. He said that executing agency deserves appreciation for completing the tunnel work eight months prior to the deadline and saving Rs 9 crores from the tunnel construction cost. Chief Minister said that soon, work to showcase culture of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and beautification at the entrance of the tunnels will be started. These will be developed as selfie points for tourists. He also talked about the renovation of old Tunnel of Daat Kali Temple. Chief Minister said that the government has reduced the price of diesel by Rs. 5 per litre. Chief Minister said that 40 crore litre of petrol and 90 crore litre of diesel, totaling to 130 crore litre of petrol-diesel is consumed annually in the state. Chief Minister said that the decision taken in public interest will have a burden of Rs. 325 crore on the state. We have to make efforts to increase production and revenues to meet this loss.
CM Rawat said that special emphasis is being made by the state government to make roads better and smooth. This will facilitate the common people and tourists. Record tourists come to the state this year. The increase in the mining revenue of the State Government has increased from Rs. 400 crore to Rs. 800 crore. There is also a possibility of income of 100 crore rupees from Forest Development Corporation. “We are moving forward towards meeting the revenue deficit and progress”. He said that the Investor Summit to be organized in the state will be historic. “Investors are constantly approaching us. Registration is continuously increasing. This investment will play an important role in the development and progress of the state. When Uttarakhand will be celebrating its Silver Jubilee in 2025, the state will be an advanced and prosperous state as dreamt by the statehood movement agitators. We are constantly working to eradicate corruption. People, public representatives, ministers, associates and bureaucrats are with us in this fight against corruption. We are getting support from everyone in this struggle” added CM Rawat.