In a significant boost to rural connectivity in the hill state, the Union Government has approved a budget of ₹1,700 crore for the construction of roads in Uttarakhand. The sanction covers 184 rural roads with a total length of 1,228 kilometers. This decision was finalized during a meeting between Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi.
The leaders held detailed discussions on strengthening the state’s agricultural systems and accelerating rural development. A primary focus of the meeting was the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by recent natural disasters.
Focus on Disaster Relief
Chief Minister Dhami briefed the Union Minister on the extensive damage caused by recent calamities. He reported that 946 roads and 15 bridges across the state have been severely damaged. The Chief Minister estimated that approximately ₹650 crore is required for the restoration of this vital infrastructure.
Dhami emphasized that for a hill state with limited resources, managing such extensive damage is a major challenge. He sought special assistance from the Centre to ensure rapid reconstruction. Additionally, he requested necessary funds for the repair of approximately 5,900 houses damaged during the recent disasters.
Agricultural Reforms and Crop Protection
The discussion also covered the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and agricultural challenges. CM Dhami noted that nearly 90 percent of farmers in Uttarakhand belong to the small and marginal category. He highlighted that crop damage caused by wild animals remains a severe issue for these farmers.
The Chief Minister thanked the Central Government for including fencing works under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). To further secure crops and boost production, he requested a dedicated budget allocation. Dhami urged the Centre to arrange ₹200 crore annually for the next five years specifically for crop protection measures.
Responding positively, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured the early allocation of advance funds. This will allow fencing work to commence on a broader scale. The Chief Minister also requested the early release of ₹98 crore approved for the year 2025-26 under the PM-RKVY Sanitation Action Plan for the Namami Gange Clean Campaign.
The Union Minister assured that the state’s requirements would be prioritized and promised all possible support from the Central Government.
The meeting was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Devesh Chaturvedi, PMGSY CEO Alok Kumar Pandey, and Uttarakhand Resident Commissioner Ajay Mishra.
