Rajan Pundir, Nahan. Renovation work has started at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district of Yamuna river, which divides Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Like the famous religious place of North India, Har Ki Pauri of Haridwar, Paonta Sahib is also going to take the form of a grand and modern Yamunaghat. The Central Government has released Rs 30 crore in the first phase under the Namami Gange project, while Rs 65 crore is proposed to be spent on this scheme. The restoration work of Yamuna Ghat has started as soon as the necessary clearance is received from the Forest Department and the Central Government. Under the plan, the coastal area will be developed suitable for religious, cultural and tourism activities, so that devotees, local people and tourists can avail better facilities.
The foundation stone was laid in 2023
It is noteworthy that on April 22, 2023, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had laid the foundation stone of this project at Paonta Sahib. After getting 65 hectares of land from the Forest Department, the work of giving a safe, attractive and modern look to the Ghat area has started.
What do the MLAs say?
On the other hand, Paonta Sahib MLA Sukhram Chaudhary said that the Central Government has released Rs 30 crore to Paonta Sahib in the first phase for the beautification and renovation of Yamuna Ghat under Namami Gange Project. This is a historical project, its completion will increase the pride of Paonta Sahib.
How will the proposed Yamuna Ghat be redesigned?
In the project, Yamunaghat will be completely equipped with modern facilities. Bathing ghats, platforms, ramps and seating arrangements for devotees, stages for religious and cultural events, attractive landscaping, lighting arrangements, modern Yamuna Heritage Corridor, parking and easy access roads, changing rooms, benches for sitting, stage for Aarti at Yamuna Ghat, better stairs from Pujari Ghat to the river, development of barrage near Shri Radha Krishna Hanuman Temple, painting on walls, Swargadham. But separate ghats, Aarti places like Haridwar Rishikesh, chains for security, beautification of Yamuna path and security walls will be built in the first phase. The new Yamunaghat will not only become a major center of religious activities but will also give a new identity to the tourism of Paonta Sahib.
Forest department active, momentum gained after land transfer
The Forest Department has recently completed the necessary land transfer and permission process to take the project forward smoothly. These days the construction agency has started the excavation, beautification and structural works of the ghat.
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