Uttarakhand to set up medical college, university in New Tehri

Dehra Dun, Nov 23 (PTI) The Uttarakhand government today sanctioned a medical college and a university for New Tehri, and also gave nod to develop the Tehri reservoir as a tourism hub. Decisions to this effect were taken by Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar after holding talks with agitating Congress leaders from Tehri, party MLA Kishore Upadhyay said here. New roads and a drinking water scheme for the area was also sanctioned, Upadhyay, an MLA from Tehri, said. Barring a few issues, most of the demands of the Tehri region have now been accepted by the government, the MLA said. Upadhyay early this year had resorted to a fortnight-long fast on these issues. The government has sanctioned a new university at Padshahithaur and a degree college for Dhauldhar area of Tehri district, Upadhyay said. It will also upgrade four other colleges, he said adding the government has also decided to utilise Rs 250 crore, which was sanctioned by the Centre, for the purpose of development of the Tehri reservoir as a major tourist attraction. The people have also asked the government to provide passage from Tehri Dam for the residents of Pratapnagar and other nearby areas after the submergence of bridges and roads in the Tehri reservoir. "A deadlock still persists on the passage from Tehri dam," Upadhyay said. He said the government has also agreed to sanction 22 kms of new roads for better connectivity in Tehri region. PTI DPT SHS