Dehradun, Nov. 13 -- The central government has given positive signals on the proposals forwarded by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to set up Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Uttarakhand, a release from the state government said on Thursday. Dhami, in his proposals to the central government, had sought establishment of IISER, setting up of AIIA at Khurpia Farm in Kichha (US Nagar). Dhami also asked the central government to declare Uttarkashi-Tilwara road as a National Highway (NH). The release said Union minister for education Pralhad Joshi wrote to Dhami, assuring that the proposal will be duly considered during the future expansion phase of central educational institutions. In his letter, Joshi said that Uttarakhand already hosts several premier central institutions, including Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur. He said that the central government is working closely with state to strengthen and expand existing institutions so they can be developed in full alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. On Dhami's proposal to upgrade Uttarkashi-Kamad-Ayarkhal-Budhakedar-Chamiyala-Ghansali-Tilwara motor road into a National Highway, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari assured the CM that the proposal for the new stretch will be taken up for consideration once the central government's revised policy framework for notifying new national highways is finalised, the release said. On Dhami's request to set up an AIIA at Khurpia Farm in Kichha, Union minister of state (independent charge) for Ayush and minister of state for health and family welfare Prataprao Jadhav said that the Centre has received Uttarakhand's formal submission. He said following Union finance minister's announcement in Budget 2026 speech to set up three new AIIAs across India, proposals were invited from eligible states and UTs under a challenge-method framework formulated by Cabinet Secretariat. He assured Uttarakhand's bid will be evaluated in accordance with prescribed procedures and applicable norms, the release said. Dhami said, "Timely execution of these initiatives will give fresh impetus to scientific research, traditional healthcare, and road infrastructure, accelerating the overall development of Uttarakhand."...