Amit Shah Chairs Central Zonal Council Meeting In Varanasi; CMs Urge Enhanced BRO Role In Border Infrastructure

Varanasi: In a high-level meeting of the Central Zonal Council chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Varanasi on Monday, Chief Ministers from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh collectively called for the active involvement of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in building and maintaining critical infrastructure in border and remote regions.

The 25th meeting of the Council, held at Hotel Taj, focused on enhancing connectivity, ensuring security in sensitive zones, and improving communication networks—especially in areas near inter-state and international borders.

According to a senior official, the Council deliberated on a wide spectrum of issues including social development, disaster management, law and order, tourism, environmental sustainability, and minority welfare. The discussion also addressed disputes between states involving property, boundaries, and water-sharing—matters that typically require central intervention.

“The Council meeting saw constructive discussions on development, disaster response, health, tourism, and inter-state cooperation, reinforcing the Centre's push for cooperative federalism,” the official told this reporter.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged the urgent need for expanding communication services in border villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme. In a social media post, he stressed quicker implementation of BharatNet and satellite-based communication to bridge connectivity gaps in isolated regions.

Dhami urged the Centre to simplify the grant process under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and sought the withdrawal of the 1989 remote valley notification, arguing that it hampers development in far-flung areas. He also requested additional aid under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to repair and strengthen roads damaged by frequent landslides and cloudbursts during monsoon seasons.

Proposing long-term investments in knowledge and adventure tourism, Dhami put forth plans to establish a Glacier Research Centre, a Biodiversity Conservation Institute, and an International Adventure Sports Training Centre in the state. He also sought central support for the successful hosting of the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra in 2026 and the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in 2027.

“Our government is fully committed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047. We are working at full speed to build a prosperous Uttarakhand where every citizen can be part of the national development journey,” Dhami said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav termed the meeting “constructive and visionary.” He said, “The 25th Central Zonal Council meet offered an excellent platform for states to collaborate on common concerns related to development, health, tourism, and internal security. It is an important step toward realising the dream of a developed India.”

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also praised the gathering as a vital expression of cooperative and competitive federalism. “The deliberations covered a range of crucial subjects such as transportation, infrastructure development, disaster management, and inter-state security. These talks will strengthen regional governance,” he said.

The Central Zonal Council, formed under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, serves as a coordination forum for states to work with the Centre on shared concerns, particularly in resource distribution, development planning, and security challenges.