Uttarakhand

• 04 Aug 2023

3 tunnels will be built on China border

Why in News?

On August 2, 2023, Uttarakhand Public Works Secretary Pankaj Pandey informed that the State Government has sent a proposal to the Central Government to link the two ITBP posts in two different valleys along the Indo-China border and to provide smooth transport to the people of the border areas.

Key Points:

• With this, the distance between Jolingkang in Pithoragarh and Lapthal in Chamoli will be reduced from 490 km to 42 km. For this, 3 tunnels of about 57 km and 20 km of road are proposed to be made. Now a decision has to be taken by the Central Government on this project of strategic importance.
• At present there is no such direct route in the India-China border, which directly connects ITBP post Jolingkang in Pithoragarh to ITBP post in Lapthal in Chamoli. The distance of 490 km can be reduced by constructing three tunnels of 57 km each at these two strategically important posts.
• It is also important from the point of view of people living in border areas, the army, SSB & ITBP and tourism.
• In its proposal sent to the Centre by the state government, the project has been described as important for the economic development of the state, promotion of tourism and to prevent migration along with maintaining human activities in the border areas.
• The 1st tunnel will be of five km:
  • The journey from Jaulingkang (Beas Valley) to Beadag (Darma Valley) in the Pithoragarh district is covered via the Shimla Pass, which is covered with snow almost throughout the year. It is very difficult to construct a road at this place.
  • The five-km tunnel between Jaulingkang will connect the route from Tawaghat to Bedang built by BRO and CPWD with a 20-km road from Vedang to Go and Sipu. It will reduce the distance between Jaulingkang and Bedang by 161 km.
• The 2nd tunnel will be 22 km long: It is also difficult to construct a motorway from Sipu to Tola, which is covered with snow throughout the year. With the construction of a tunnel of about 22 km in length between Sipu to Tola, Darma Valley and Johar Valley will be connected to each other.
• The 3rd tunnel will be 30 km long: The walkway from Milam in Pithoragarh to Lapthal in Chamoli is also covered with snow throughout the year. It is difficult to construct a road in this part also. With the construction of the 30 km tunnel from Milam to Lapthal, Johar Valley of Pithoragarh and Lapthal of Chamoli will be connected by road.

‘Chaurasi Kutiya’ to be developed as a Heritage Tourist Destination

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on August 3, 2023, Chaurasi Kutiya, a historical site located at Swargashram in Rishikesh, will be developed as a heritage tourist destination. For this, HCP Design Management Company will prepare the master plan.

Key Points:

• It is known that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Tapasthali Chaurasi Kutiya in Tirthanagari is associated with the memory of the world's famous international band group Beatles. Tourists from all over the world come to Chaurasi Kutia, but this place has not yet been developed in terms of tourism.
• Now the government has planned to develop it as International Heritage Tourism Destination. Since Chaurasi Kutiya is in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve area, permission will also be taken from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
• It is worth mentioning that in the year 1961, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi had built Chaurasi Kutiya Ashram in 7.5 hectares of forest land in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve area. He had taken the forest land on lease for about 40 years. During this, he had constructed 140 domed cottages and 84 small meditation yoga cottages and others in the ashram.
• In the year 1968, four members of England's famous Beatles group John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr came to Chaurasi Kutiya to meditate. These people used to meditate in cottage number nine.
• He stayed here for about four months. In these four months, he composed the tune of 40 songs here, which foreigners still listen to with fascination. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi left this cottage in the year 1989 and went to Holland due to the expiry of the lease of forest land. In the year 2000, the forest department took over this ashram.