CM Dhami meets PM Modi, seeks support for Uttarakhand’s major development projects

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in New Delhi to discuss a wide range of development initiatives and ongoing infrastructure projects in the state.

During the meeting, CM Dhami sought guidance and extended gratitude to the Central Government for its continuous support towards the progress of Uttarakhand.

“Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Uttarakhand is ready to play its effective role in the vision of Developed India 2047,” said the Chief Minister, according to a release from the Uttarakhand CMO. He also lauded the global recognition of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, stating, “All Indians are proud that 27 countries of the world have conferred the highest civilian honour of their country on the Prime Minister.”

As a token of appreciation, CM Dhami presented the Prime Minister with a replica of the Kartik Swami Temple, a coffee table book on the Adi Kailash Yatra, and locally produced items including Kanar (Dharchula) ghee, red (Purola) rice, Basmati rice, black cumin, Jambu, and local honey.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister requested CSR funding support for infrastructure development of religious corridors in the state. He urged the Prime Minister to facilitate funding under the master plan for the Haridwar Ganga Corridor, Rishikesh Ganga Corridor, and Sharda Corridor in Champawat, modeled after the Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham projects.

He also proposed developing Nepa Farm in Udham Singh Nagar as a semiconductor hub, and appealed to extend the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) to Haridwar. Additionally, he called for provisions for road construction within the Tanakpur–Bageshwar and Rishikesh–Uttarkashi railway projects.

CM Dhami informed the Prime Minister about preparations for the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra scheduled for August 2026, describing it as a “mountainous Maha Kumbh,” and sought ₹400 crore in central assistance to build sustainable infrastructure for the event. He also invited the Prime Minister to attend the sacred pilgrimage.

Looking ahead to the 2027 Maha Kumbh in Haridwar, the Chief Minister noted that preparations have already begun and requested ₹3,500 crore for vital infrastructure improvements, including bridges, parking facilities, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, transport, and pedestrian pathways.

The Chief Minister also appealed for the approval of a ₹1,015 crore DPR sent under the RDSS scheme for undergrounding HT and LT power lines in Rishikesh and Haridwar, and for automating the region’s power systems. On the cultural heritage front, he sought the National Wildlife Board’s approval for the proposal to restore the iconic Chaurasi Kutia near Rishikesh, once associated with The Beatles.

Further, CM Dhami shared details of the Pindar–Kosi link project, which aims to connect glacier-fed rivers to rain-fed ones. He said, “Suppose the water of the glacier-based Pindar river is mixed with the rain-based Kosi, Ganges, Gomti and Yamuna rivers. In that case, about 2 lakh population of 625 villages of Bageshwar, Almora and Nainital districts will benefit from drinking water and irrigation.”

The project also promises to enhance water supply for nearly 1.25 lakh people across Garud, Kausani, Dwarahat, Ranikhet, and Almora towns. He requested that this ambitious project be included under a special central scheme.

Additionally, the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to permit the development of five hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 596 MW, in line with the committee recommendations led by the Cabinet Secretary of India.

The Prime Minister was also briefed about the Chardham Yatra, Adi Kailash Yatra, Nanda Rajjat Yatra, the 2027 Maha Kumbh, and progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured CM Pushkar Singh Dhami of all possible support from the Central Government for Uttarakhand’s development.