Centre approves Rs 1,700 crore for Uttarakhand rural roads under PMGSY; state seeks additional funds to repair disaster-damaged roads, bridges, and homes.

In a significant boost for rural development, the central government has approved Rs 1,700 crore for constructing a comprehensive road network across villages in Uttarakhand. The funding is expected to enhance connectivity, facilitate transportation, and accelerate economic growth in the state’s rural areas. This initiative falls under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Major Road Development Project

During a recent meeting in Delhi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chauhan to discuss rural development, agriculture, and disaster-affected infrastructure in the state.

• Roads Approved: Rs 1,700 crore has been sanctioned for constructing 184 rural roads covering a total length of 1,228 kilometres.

• Purpose: The project aims to improve transport facilities in remote and hilly areas, facilitating faster movement of people and goods, while boosting rural economic activity.

Disaster-Damaged Infrastructure Requires Support

Chief Minister Dhami highlighted that 946 roads and 15 bridges in Uttarakhand were severely damaged in recent natural disasters. He requested Rs 650 crore for reconstruction. Dhami emphasized that repairing such infrastructure is particularly challenging for a hill state with limited resources, and he sought special support from the Centre.

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Additionally, the CM requested funding to repair 5,900 homes affected by disasters and expressed gratitude for the inclusion of farm fencing under RKVY-DPR to protect crops from wildlife. He further sought an annual budget of Rs 200 crore for the next five years to address crop protection issues in the state.

Additional Fund Requests

Dhami also appealed for the release of Rs 98 crore sanctioned for this year’s Namami Gange Clean Campaign under the PM-RKVY program. Rajya Sabha member Mahendra Bhatt, along with senior officials from the agriculture and PMGSY departments, attended the discussions.

CM Dhami’s Statement on Rural Development

Expressing gratitude, CM Dhami said, “I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan for sanctioning Rs 1,700 crore for rural roads. This approval will significantly improve connectivity in remote mountainous areas and boost rural economic growth. The project will not only accelerate Uttarakhand’s rural development but also contribute to the vision of a developed India.”

This large-scale sanction is expected to transform rural mobility in Uttarakhand, ensuring better road connectivity, safer travel, and stronger economic opportunities for villagers.