Along with Union minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Uma Bharti, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the Vaikunth Chaturdashi Mela and development exhibition at Srinagar on Friday.

On this occasion , 11,000 people took an oath to maintain the cleanliness of the Ganga river.

The CM also unveiled the Alkeshwar bathing ghat and Moksha ghat constructed at a cost of Rs 11 crore at Srinagar along with ITI Moksha Ghat built at a cost of Rs 2.97 crore. The CM also announced various developmental works in the area on the occasion.

Speaking at Ganga Swachchhta Sammelan on the occasion, the Union minister appreciated the state government making all the villages situated on riverbanks open defecation free (ODF). She congratulated the chief minister for imposing a ban on polythene in the state.

Banning polythene will save the Himalayas and also conserve fertile land. She emphasised the need for girl education and said that educated girls would help in developing the society and take it ahead. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that an ancient fair is held at the Samadhi of Mata Sita in Kot block of the district.

The people have great faith in the Samadhi and the state government will prepare a solid work plan to bring the place before the entire world.He said that the state government is committed to develop it as a great centre of faith in the coming days.

He said that 22 lakh families of the state will be benefitted by Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana from December 25 on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Uttarakhand will be the first state to offer such facilities to such a large number of people.

Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand has become the first state which has issued government order for the environmental flow of Ganga's continuous stream.

He said that if any project in the state is formulated, then it will be necessary to have 15 per cent environmental flow according to scientific approach.

The minister of State for Higher Education and local MLA Dhan Singh Rawat also expressed his views on the occasion. Stressing that NIT would not be shifted out of Srinagar, he also demanded construction of auditorium, a 52-bed hospital and a new bridge in Srinagar.