Uttarakhand

• 07 Sep 2022

Sainik Schools to open in Dehradun and Rudrapur

Why in News?

• In a meeting chaired by Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Dr. S.S. Sandhu on September 6, 2022, the proposal to open Sainik Schools in Dehradun and Rudrapur in the state was approved. Now it is being sent to the central government for approval.

Key Points

• Education Secretary Ravinath Raman said that it has been proposed to run Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya in Dehradun and AN Jha Inter College in Rudrapur as Sainik Schools.
• The central government has decided to open 100 Sainik Schools across the country. For this, proposals of schools meeting the standards were sought from the states.
• In Uttarakhand, Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dehradun and AN Jha Inter College, Rudrapur are meeting almost all the standards for Sainik School. The proposal of both is being prepared and sent to the central government. After the proposal is sent, the Centre's team will inspect the respective schools.
• It is worth mentioning that there is only one Sainik School in Ghodakhal in the state, whose entire operation is done by the Ministry of Defense. However, the exercise of opening a Sainik School in Jakholi of Rudraprayag district has been going on for the last several years. This school was also approved, but due to lack of coordination between the Sainik Welfare and Education Department, the matter of building this school has been stalled for a long time.
• Grd World School at Bhauwala in Dehradun was among the 21 new Sainik Schools approved by the Defence Ministry for the academic session 2022-23, but admission to it has been kept in abeyance on the complaint of the school's recognition.
• There was a delay in sending the proposal from the state due to lack of clarity regarding the standards for opening Sainik School. Earlier it was told that 25 acres of land would be required for this, but later it came to know that Sainik School can also be opened in eight acres of land. After the situation was clarified, its proposal was prepared by the department.
• Grants will be given by the central government to open Sainik Schools in the state. This will enable the necessary resources to be raised. However, departmental officials say that both the selected schools meet all the standards of Sainik School.

Underpass for Elephants on the Road to the Nepal Border

Why in News?

• On September 6, 2022, Yogendra Sharma, Project Director, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) informed that in view of the unhindered movement of wildlife, especially elephants, underpass will be constructed on a four km long stretch from Jagbuda in Banbasa to Nepal border (Chandni Dudhara) by NHAI.

Key Points

• Nhai Project Director Yogendra Sharma said that there is a plan to construct underpasses at 25 places in a length of 750 meters for the movement of wildlife. The concerned work is targeted to be completed in 18 months.
• NHAI officials claim that for the first time in Kumaon, an underpass will be built for the movement of wildlife. The tender process for this ambitious scheme is underway.
• Significantly, the Nepal government is building a dryport in Chandni Dudhara. To connect this dryport with India, NHAI is going to build a 4 km four-lane road from Banbasa to Nepal border.
• According to NHAI officials, a bridge will also be built on the Sharda river. A railway overbridge will also be prepared. A joint check post (immigration, forest, police, SSB and customs) will also be set up here.
• Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt said efforts are being made to make the movement better and convenient. Work is proposed to construct an important road up to the Nepal border. The scheme will cost Rs 225 crore. The final line survey work for the Bageshwar-Tanakpur railway line is underway, which is expected to be completed by December.