Project to rejuvenate the Devika River has finished

As the first river restoration project in North India, Devika was finished in Udhampur on Sunday, excitement is building. On February 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch and lay the foundation stone for a number of projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Regarded as the sacred Ganga’s sister, the Devika river is very sacred to the local people. Taking note of this, the government introduced the Devika Rejuvenation Project in 2019, modeled after the prosperous “Namami Gange” initiative.

The initiative is being hailed by the people of Udhampur as the Devika River’s “rebirth.” The project offers possible economic advantages via sustainable tourism and local business prospects, in addition to environmental regeneration.

After the project was completed, Udhampur resident Raghav Raine noticed notable changes in the Devika river. We are at Devika today, and I want to thank everyone for the effort that has been done here. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, who will be here on February 20. This location has seen significant changes: what was before a jungle now has seats, and an event-specific open theater has been built. This place was formerly dark, but with the addition of appropriate lighting, older people who were previously unable to enter owing to the darkness may now do so. This time, I am very looking forward to Modi Ji’s coming to Devika. I wonder what presents he will bring for us,” Raghav Raine said.

Rohit Kumar, a college student, conveyed his appreciation for the city’s road construction. “I have seen several noteworthy alterations in the Devika River. There were no designated walkways when I used to visit this place, but today it has undergone full development. In the past, the river was very polluted. Additionally, I would like to thank Prime Minister Modi for the development of our sacred Devika River,” he said.

Felmo Devi expects these improvements will lead to economic growth. “It was difficult for me to believe when I first went since the Devika River was undeveloped. Appropriate paths were absent. However, a major transformation has now occurred, and this will draw visitors in the future. In the future, we will also see economic expansion. Significant changes have occurred, according to Felmo Devi.

Local resident Tariq Shah of Udhampur said, “There’s also a statue of Lord Shiva, and a lot of people come here these days. There have been beautification initiatives put in place, with the Devika River’s cleanliness receiving particular focus. We expect that more plans for Udhampur’s development would be announced when PM Modi inaugurates it. Devika has been seeing waves of growth ever since PM Modi arrived.

The Nilmat Puran, penned by Nela Muni in the 7th century, states that the Devika river is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Parwati herself, benefiting the people of Mader Desha, which is the region between the rivers Ravi and Chenab. This information is cited on the official website of the Udhampur district. On Shivratri, the Devika river is said to have emerged.

According to material on the official Udhampur district website, “Lord Shiva himself is said to remain side by side with his consort Uma, manifesting in the form of Shiv Lingas at eight places alongside the Devika river.”