Harsil: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a major initiative to rehabilitate villages evacuated during the 1962 India-China war, transforming them into thriving tourist destinations. Addressing a public rally in Harsil, Uttarakhand, PM Modi emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing these forgotten villages.
“People might know that when China attacked India in 1962, these two villages of ours were evacuated. People have forgotten, but we cannot forget. We have launched a campaign to rehabilitate these villages and are working towards making them major tourist destinations,” PM Modi stated.
Reaffirming his vision for border development, the Prime Minister stressed that villages along the frontier should not be seen as “last villages” but as “first villages,” deserving special attention. “We changed the mindset. These are our first villages, not the last. Under the ‘Vibrant Villages’ program, 10 villages in this region have been included for special development,” he added.
Highlighting Uttarakhand’s rapid progress under the BJP’s ‘double-engine government’, PM Modi listed key infrastructure projects, including the Chardham All-Weather Road, modern expressways, expanded air connectivity, and railway development. He also announced the approval of the Kedarnath and Hemkund Ropeway Projects, which will significantly cut travel time for pilgrims.
“After the construction of the Kedarnath Ropeway, the journey that used to take 8 to 9 hours will now be completed in about 30 minutes, making it much easier for the elderly and children,” he said.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi flagged off a trek and bike rally in Harsil after offering prayers at Maa Ganga’s winter seat in Mukhwa. He was accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
