Uttarakhand's urban push: CM Dhami meets FM Sitharaman; seeks support on key infra projects

met in New Delhi on Thursday and held detailed discussions on certain issues concerning the state.

Highlighting the increasing population pressure in urban areas, the CM stressed the urgent need to upgrade the urban drainage system in the ecologically sensitive, high-rainfall state. The state government has prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for improving stormwater drainage systems across 10 districts most affected by heavy rainfall. The total estimated cost of these projects is Rs 8,589.47 crore.

Dhami requested Sitharaman to approve these initiatives under the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment to states.

CM Pushkar Singh also sought early approval for the state’s Externally Aided Projects (EAPs). While the Uttarakhand Climate Resilience Development Project has already received approval, proposals worth Rs 850 crore for the Public Financial Management Strengthening Project and Rs 800 crore for enhancing the water supply system are awaiting sanction from the Central Government.

Further, referring to earlier assurances from the finance minister, Dhami requested early clearance for four additional major projects for Uttarakhand beyond the EAP ceiling for the financial years 2023–24 to 2025–26. These are- The Urban Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Development Project (worth Rs 2,000 crore); DRIP-III (worth Rs 424 crore); The Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Intra-State Power Transmission System Development Project (worth Rs 3,638 crore), and The Uttarakhand Power Distribution Reliability Improvement Project (worth Rs 1,566 crore).

During the meeting, CM Dhami also congratulated the finance minister on the successful implementation of GST reforms.
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