Khatima: On Thursday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a brand‑new gaushala at Haldighera, Khatima, constructed at a cost of Rs 7.23 crore. The ceremony also marked the laying of foundation stones for 15 upcoming development schemes worth a combined Rs 108.84 crore.
Among the flagship initiatives is the upgradation of a 13.60‑km stretch of State Highway‑70 from Satrah Meel to the Nanak Sagar division, for which Rs 34.44 crore has been earmarked.
Dhami announced that the Haldighera gaushala will be expanded as demand grows, allowing it to accommodate a larger number of stray cattle. He emphasized that the facility will improve care for wandering cattle, ease the burden on farmers and residents, and help curb road‑accident risks involving stray animals.
Cattle protection, he noted, occupies a revered place in Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage and represents both a social duty and a legacy of the state. The government, he added, is continuously enhancing provisions for the safety and welfare of stray cattle.
According to the chief minister, more than 16,000 stray cattle are already housed in gaushalas across Uttarakhand. The pilot Gramya Gau Sevak Yojana has been launched, and land at 63 sites has been earmarked for new gaushalas in partnership with the Urban Development and Panchayati Raj departments.
The administration is also linking cattle protection to the rural economy by establishing special growth centres that promote pure ghee and dairy products made from Badri cow milk.
Dhami highlighted ongoing national efforts to preserve India’s cultural traditions while bolstering the livestock sector. He affirmed that the state government is prioritising infrastructure and public‑welfare projects throughout Khatima and Udham Singh Nagar, including roads, bridges, educational institutions and flood‑control measures.
Ensuring that all development works are completed on schedule without compromising quality remains a top priority for the Uttarakhand government.
