New Delhi/Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday paid a courtesy visit to Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, in New Delhi. During the meeting, the Chief Minister raised several crucial issues concerning the state’s hydro-electric power sector and urban housing initiatives.
Push for Hydro-Electric Development and Underground Power Lines
Emphasizing the importance of modernizing infrastructure in key areas, Chief Minister Dhami requested Central Government assistance for making power lines underground and automated in the Haridwar–Rishikesh region to enhance safety and efficiency.
He urged the Centre to provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹4000 crore for hydro-electric projects in the Kumaon and Upper Yamuna regions, stating that this would significantly strengthen the state’s power generation capabilities.
In addition, he sought VGF of ₹3800 crore for the development of pump storage projects in remote and inaccessible areas of the state. These projects, he noted, are essential not only for boosting energy production but also for catalyzing socio-economic development in those regions.
The Chief Minister also called for the early approval of two major Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd. (Pitkul) projects under the Power System Development Fund (PSDF). He requested that the Centre approve the projects—estimated at ₹1007.82 crore—as 100% centrally funded initiatives.
Housing for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
Addressing urban housing concerns, the Chief Minister highlighted practical issues faced in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), especially in constructing residential units for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).
He pointed out that while the state is successfully executing projects through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the lump-sum central grant disbursement is disrupting project cash flows. He suggested that the phased grant structure (40:40:20)—currently applicable only to projects on government land—be extended to projects on private land as well, to facilitate smoother execution.
Additionally, he urged the Union Minister to issue clear banking and financing guidelines to enable easier and more accessible loans for EWS beneficiaries through banks, NBFCs, and other financial institutions.
RRTS Extension to Haridwar
In a move aimed at improving regional connectivity, Chief Minister Dhami also requested the extension of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) from Modipuram (Meerut) to Haridwar. He said this expansion would not only improve transportation but also promote urbanization and overall economic development in Uttarakhand.
