Dr. Shikha Mishra
Power, Water Supply and Local Body Development, Major funding to strengthen urban infrastructure, Kedarnath power network, higher education and district-level development across Uttarakhand
Lead Reporting
Dehradun: In a major push to infrastructure development and public services across Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved financial and administrative sanctions worth Rs 676 crore for a wide range of development projects, including urban infrastructure, renewable energy, drinking water, power supply, higher education and local body development.
The approvals are aimed at accelerating the implementation of key public welfare projects while strengthening civic amenities and essential infrastructure across the state.
As part of the package, the Chief Minister approved Rs 35 lakh for the installation of 200 solar street lights in Almora Municipal Corporation to promote clean and green energy. An additional Rs 3.07 crore has been sanctioned for the installation of a Central Control Monitoring System (CCMS) and LED street lighting in Chamiyala Nagar Panchayat.
To modernise urban lighting infrastructure, the state government has also approved Rs 1.95 crore for installing CCMS-enabled LED street lights along major roads in Dehradun, including stretches from Ghantaghar to Buddha Chowk, Darshan Lal Chowk to Prince Chowk, Prince Chowk to Saharanpur Chowk, Ballupur Chowk, RTI Bhawan to Puliya No. 6, and Tapovan Chowk to Ladpur Church on Ring Road.
Further approvals include Rs 1.99 crore for LED street light poles and CCMS panels in Pithoragarh Municipal Corporation, and Rs 3.93 crore for similar infrastructure within Dehradun Municipal Corporation.
To strengthen drinking water infrastructure, the Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 2.13 crore for the Krishnapur Drinking Water Scheme under the Nainital division.
The energy sector also received a significant boost. The government approved Rs 2 crore for five power infrastructure projects involving the construction of 33/11 KV substations, transmission lines and feeders in Kumaon. Additionally, Rs 23.10 crore has been released as the first instalment for three UJVNL projects against a sanctioned amount of Rs 35 crore.
One of the largest allocations under the package is Rs 212.10 crore for the construction of a 33/11 KV substation and associated transmission infrastructure under the Kedarnath Dham Master Plan, aimed at ensuring reliable power supply to the pilgrimage town.
In the education sector, the Chief Minister approved Rs 19 crore for the construction of a postgraduate science faculty building at Government Post Graduate College, Augustmuni, strengthening higher education infrastructure in the region.
The state government has also released Rs 82.21 crore as the second quarterly instalment to all District Panchayats under the recommendations of the Fifth State Finance Commission, pending implementation of the Sixth State Finance Commission recommendations.
In addition, Rs 325.03 crore has been approved as the second quarterly instalment for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across Uttarakhand to support civic development and municipal services.
Officials said the comprehensive funding package reflects the government's focus on improving urban infrastructure, strengthening public utilities, expanding educational facilities, promoting renewable energy and ensuring balanced development across both urban and rural areas of the state.
