PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of Char Dham highway development project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of Char Dham highway development project or Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 

The Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna is an ambitious initiative to improve connectivity to the Char Dham pilgrimage centres in the Himalayas.

Key Facts 

• The project’s main objective is to develop around 900 km of national highways. These highways will be built at an approximate cost of Rs 12,000 crore.
•  It will allow uninterrupted access for pilgrims to the four Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand.
•  The all-weather roads will have tunnels, bridges and fly-overs to enhance road safety and uninterrupted access. It will have proper slope stabilisation to ensure protection against landslides. 
• It will benefit people visiting holy shrines in Uttarakhand.
•  It will generate additional employment for the local population and will change the economy of the State as it will give strong boost to connectivity and tourism.

India, South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation

India and South Africa have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements in four areas of bilateral co-operation. 

These MoUs were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Juma in Pretoria, South Africa. 

PM Narendra Modi Modi had arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa. 

Signed agreements 

• MoU on Tourism. 
• MoU on Grass root innovation (Science and Technology) 
• MoU on Information and Communication technology (ICT). 
• Both countries also signed Programme of Cooperation in Arts and Culture. 

Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had one to one talk with the South African President Jacob Juma on various issues. Both countries have agreed to cooperate in combating terrorism, regionally and globally. They also focused on enhancing business and investment ties further in areas of minerals, mining, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. India also thanked the South African President for support to India’s NSG membership.