Dehradun – During a high‑level Executive Committee session at the Secretariat, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan reviewed the current status of several Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Development Board (UIIDB) programmes. He stressed that every initiative must stick to its approved schedule and that progress assessments need to be systematic and rigorous.

Dedicated Manager Appointed for Sharda Riverfront Corridor

The Chief Secretary expressed dissatisfaction with the slow advancement of the Sharda Riverfront Corridor, noting that the implementing agency, UPDCC, had completed only about ten percent of the work after ten months. To speed up delivery, Bardhan ordered the deployment of a full‑time project manager on‑site, responsible for continuous monitoring and rapid issue resolution.

He also directed the creation of PERT charts for all UIIDB initiatives, embedding explicit milestones. Future meetings will benchmark progress against these charts, and any deviation will trigger root‑cause analysis and corrective measures.

New Supervision for River‑Rafting Projects

Projects aimed at expanding river‑rafting facilities were examined as well. Bardhan instructed UPDCC to form a dedicated five‑year team tasked with operating and maintaining these attractions.

Separate operational units will be established for the Haridwar and Rishikesh corridors to ensure localized, smooth management of the rafting infrastructure.

Priority Works Targeted for Kumbh Mela 2027

With the Kumbh Mela slated for 2027, the Chief Secretary underscored that all priority constructions must meet their deadlines. For the Sati Kund works, he ordered an increase in labor strength and shift rotations so the project can be wrapped up by 15 December, while cautioning that speed must not compromise quality.

In Haridwar, the general manager of the executing agency has been instructed to reside in the city and conduct daily site inspections. A detailed progress dossier must be forwarded regularly to the District Magistrate and the Divisional Commissioner.

Clear Protocols for New Parking Facilities

Before commencing any new surface, underground, or automated parking scheme in Haridwar, officials must obtain a written No‑Objection Certificate from both the District Magistrate and the Mela Officer.

Integration with parallel departmental plans is mandatory, and the chosen parking solution should reflect local demand—selecting the most practical configuration among surface, underground, or mechanized systems.

Financial & Audit Committee to Safeguard Project Funds

Bardhan also mandated the formation of a Financial and Audit Committee to tighten fiscal oversight of UIIDB undertakings. The committee will champion financial discipline, transparency, and timely disbursement across the board.

Present at the meeting were Principal Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Nitesh Kumar Jha, Ravinath Raman, Dr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, C. Ravishankar, Dr. Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Special Secretary Parag Madhukar Dhakate, along with senior officials from the relevant departments and UIIDB.