Uttarakhand gets ₹1700 crore for PMGSY roads as CM Dhami seeks urgent central aid for disaster-damaged highways, bridges, and affected houses.

Significant progress has been made in enhancing road connectivity in the rural regions of Uttarakhand. Thanks to the initiatives undertaken by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Central Government has approved a substantial sum of Rs 1700 crore for the state. This sum will be allocated for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), facilitating the construction and enhancement of 184 rural roads within the state. The aggregate length of these roads amounts to 1228 km.

Chief Minister Dhami paid a formal visit to Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi. During this, he elaborated on significant issues such as the state’s agricultural infrastructure, rural development, and compensation for damages incurred due to the recent disaster.

Request assistance for damaged highways and bridges affected by disaster

During the meeting, the Chief Minister addressed the geographical challenges faced by the state and the recent natural calamity in the presence of the Union Minister. He stated that 946 roads and 15 bridges within the state have sustained severe damage as a result of the disaster. Approximately Rs 650 crore is urgently needed for their reconstruction.

Chief Minister Dhami stated that Uttarakhand, being a mountainous state with limited resources, finds it challenging for the government to bear such a significant loss independently. He anticipated particular collaboration from the Centre to restore the compromised infrastructure. Additionally, funds necessary for the restoration of approximately 5,900 houses affected by the disaster were also requested.

Concentrate on ‘sciesing’ to preserve producers’ crops

In discussing the agriculture sector, the Chief Minister stated that approximately 90 percent of the producers in the state fall into the small and marginal categories. Crop damage caused by untamed animals constitutes a significant issue in this area. To address this issue, he expressed gratitude to the central government for integrating the projects across various sectors under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Also read ; CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Calls Social Media Influencers “Agents of Change” at Uttarakhand Creators Meet 2025

The Chief Minister also called for a dedicated budget allocation to safeguard the crops and enhance agricultural productivity. He urged the allocation of Rs 200 crore annually for the next five years. On this matter, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan adopted a proactive stance and assured the prompt allocation of advance funds to facilitate the commencement of large-scale siege operations.
Requirement for financial resources for sanitation initiatives and the Namami Gange program

During the interaction, the Chief Minister also addressed the Swachhta Action Plan and the Namami Gange campaign under the PM-RKVY scheme. He requested the early release of Rs 98 crore sanctioned for the year 2025-26 to facilitate the timely implementation of the schemes.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed a favorable response to all the proposals submitted by Chief Minister Dhami. He affirmed that the requirements of the state will be addressed as a priority, and the central government will extend all necessary support.

MP Mahendra Bhatt, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, Chief Executive Officer of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Alok Kumar Pandey, and other senior officials, including Uttarakhand’s Local Commissioner Ajay Mishra, attended the meeting.