New Delhi, 26th June. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, congratulating him on his third successive term in office. Dhami presented a replica of the Mahasu Temple to PM Modi and discussed several developmental issues facing the state.
Dhami emphasized the importance of hydroelectric projects in boosting Uttarakhand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He highlighted that the state spends approximately ₹1,000 crore annually on purchasing energy from the open market to meet its electricity needs, creating a significant financial burden. Dhami urged PM Modi to review the final report of the expert committee on the proposed 24 hydroelectric projects in the Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, and their tributaries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Power.
The chief minister addressed the challenges of compensatory afforestation under current forest conservation rules. With 67% of its land covered by forests, Uttarakhand faces difficulties in finding land for development projects vital for infrastructure and strategic purposes along the international border. Dhami requested PM Modi’s assistance in expediting approvals for transferring forest land required by central agencies such as NHAI, BRO, ITBP, Railways, and the Army.
Dhami sought support for establishing a Multi-Modal Logistics Park to attract investments and proposed the transfer of land from BHEL Haridwar for industrial development. He also updated PM Modi on the progress of the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster at Khurpiya, emphasizing the need for central approval to move forward.
The chief minister briefed PM Modi on the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission, which aims to develop 48 mythological temples to boost cultural and religious tourism. He requested ₹1,000 crore to improve connectivity and infrastructure around these temple sites.
Dhami proposed several infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the Dehradun-Mussoorie rail line and the administrative and financial approval for tunnel projects at Jyoli Kang-Vedang, Sipu-Tola, and Milam-Lapthal. These projects are expected to enhance regional connectivity and support Uttarakhand’s development agenda.
The meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts between the state and central governments to address Uttarakhand’s developmental challenges and leverage its growth potential.
Comments are closed.