New Delhi/Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, in New Delhi on Monday and held detailed discussions on key hydro-electric and housing-related projects concerning the state.
During the meeting, CM Dhami emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the power infrastructure in the Haridwar-Rishikesh region. He urged the Central Government to support the undergrounding and automation of power lines in the area to ensure safety and uninterrupted supply.
Major Demands for Hydropower Development
Highlighting the state’s immense hydro-electric potential, the Chief Minister sought Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹4,000 crore for developing hydro-electric projects in the Kumaon and Upper Yamuna regions. He stressed that such projects would not only enhance power generation capacity but also contribute significantly to regional development.
In addition, CM Dhami requested ₹3,800 crore in VGF for pump storage projects in remote and hilly terrains of the state. He noted that these projects would help stabilize the grid and serve as a sustainable energy storage solution.
Push for PSDF Approval and Grants
The Chief Minister also sought early approval of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of two major Pitkul (Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd) projects under the Power System Development Fund (PSDF). He urged that these projects, with a combined estimated cost of ₹1,007.82 crore, be sanctioned under 100% central grant support.
Reforms in Housing Scheme Implementation
On the housing front, CM Dhami raised issues related to the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U), especially for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). He pointed out that while the state is successfully executing projects through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the lump sum disbursement system for central grants is disrupting project cash flows.
To resolve this, he proposed extending the phased funding model (40:40:20)—currently applicable to government land projects—to private land-based housing initiatives. He also urged the Central Government to instruct banks, NBFCs, and other financial institutions to issue clear guidelines to ensure that EWS beneficiaries can access easy and affordable credit.
Proposal to Extend RRTS to Haridwar
CM Dhami also proposed the extension of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) beyond Modipuram (Meerut) to Haridwar. He said this move would significantly enhance regional connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and promote urbanization and economic development in Uttarakhand.
