CII recommends linking Uttarakhand with Eastern Freight Corridor

Linking Uttarakhand with the Eastern Freight Corridor, IT-enabled single window system and special tourism zones are among key suggestions forwarded by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to the state government for improving investment climate.

After holding talks with Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar here today, Vijay K Thadani, Chairman CII Northern Region said, “We have recommended that a container depot be set up at Iqbalpur-Roorkee in Haridwar district in order to link it with

Saharanpur city in Uttar Pradesh from where the eastern freight corridor passes.” Saharanpur needs to be a halting station for the corridor,” he said.

As RITES has been working on the proposal for the freight corridor, a feasibility study in the context of Uttarakhand could be taken up, he said. “Active pursuing by the state government is essential for creation of this important linkage,” he said.

Thadani informed that CII has been working with the state government to develop an IT-enabled single window system.

“We have already submitted an assessment report on the single-window system to the government. We expect the government to implement the single window system for quick clearances,” he said.

He also suggested the government to set up specialtourism zones in the hill state to attract more investments. To start with, one special tourism zone can be taken up on a pilot basis, Thadani said.

Thadani said since CII wants to assist the central government in 100 projects of national importance, some of them can be identified in Uttarakhand also.

He also said there should be an affirmative action on inclusive growth in the state that includes participation of marginalized communities like scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

He said some centres of excellence can also be developed in Uttarakhand for skill development. In addition to this, he also mooted the idea of setting up skill gurukuls where short-term training can be provided to people belonging to poor background.