Uttarakhand CM Dhami Meets Union Power & Housing Minister Manohar Lal

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, to seek special assistance for key infrastructure and development projects in the state. The discussions focused on hydro-electric power generation, housing for economically weaker sections, and regional connectivity.

During the meeting, CM Dhami requested the Union Power Minister to support the undergrounding and automation of power lines in the highly sensitive Rishikesh-Haridwar region to ensure uninterrupted and safer electricity supply, especially in light of the heavy tourism and religious footfall in the area.

He further sought a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of Rs 4,000 crore for the construction of hydroelectric power projects in Kumaon and Upper Yamuna regions and an additional Rs 3,800 crore VGF for the development of pumped storage projects in remote and challenging terrains to boost the state’s renewable energy capacity and local development.

CM Dhami also urged the Union Minister to approve the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of two crucial Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd. (PITCUL) projects under the Power System Development Fund (PSDF). He requested that both projects, totaling Rs 1,007.82 crore, be sanctioned with 100% central grant assistance.

Highlighting the challenges in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) in Uttarakhand, especially on private lands, the Chief Minister emphasized that the current lump-sum grant model was hampering the cash flow of projects. He proposed that the phased funding pattern of 40:40:20, currently allowed on government land, be extended to projects on private land as well to ensure smooth execution under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

In this context, CM Dhami also appealed for the issuance of clear guidelines to banks, NBFCs, and other financial institutions to facilitate easy access to credit for beneficiaries belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

To improve regional connectivity and spur economic growth, the Chief Minister made a strong case for extending the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) beyond Modipuram on the Meerut Road corridor up to Haridwar. This, he said, would alleviate traffic congestion, enhance urban development, and support the broader economic upliftment of the region.