Dehradun: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 62 development projects worth ₹1,475.31 crore during the Uttarakhand State Foundation Day celebrations at Parade Ground in Dehradun on November 6.
The projects cover several sectors, including roads, electricity, drinking water, education, healthcare, tourism, urban development and other infrastructure.
Of the total projects, 44 worth ₹1,073.11 crore were taken up for foundation laying, while 18 projects costing ₹402.20 crore were inaugurated.
Sector-Wise Distribution of Development Projects
According to the Uttarakhand government’s Information and Public Relations Department, the projects include:
- Power infrastructure: 20 projects worth ₹472.33 crore under Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) were launched, while three projects worth ₹77.93 crore were inaugurated.
- Drinking water: Eight projects worth ₹191.17 crore under the Peyjal Nigam were taken up for foundation laying, alongside five projects worth ₹82.03 crore that were inaugurated.
- Urban development: Four projects worth ₹92.25 crore were taken up for foundation laying, while one project worth ₹10.95 crore was inaugurated. These include infrastructure works in Haridwar ahead of the 2027 Kumbh Mela.
- Tourism: Two projects worth ₹43.70 crore were taken up, including works associated with the Dobra-Chanthi Park project in Tehri and electricity infrastructure for the Hemkund Sahib ropeway.
- Home Department: Two projects worth ₹68.27 crore were announced, including a Cyber Excellence Centre in Dehradun costing ₹31.63 crore and residential buildings for a fire station in Haldwani costing ₹36.64 crore.
- Dairy development: A project worth ₹48.21 crore will facilitate the establishment of a milk powder plant, ice-cream plant and bakery unit in Sitarganj.
Other projects cover technical education, higher education, public works, housing, sugar development and medical education.
Amit Shah Highlights Uttarakhand’s Development Indicators
Addressing the gathering, Shah said Uttarakhand would be the first milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
He also referred to the state’s economic indicators, stating that its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) had increased by 50% and per capita income by 40% compared with 2022.
Referring to the Global Investors Summit, Shah said that investment agreements worth ₹3.56 lakh crore had been signed, of which more than ₹1 lakh crore had already been grounded.
He also cited the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, Char Dham All-Weather Road, Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway project and the proposed ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib as important infrastructure initiatives.
Shah further referred to the state’s implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, anti-cheating legislation and anti-conversion law. He said that 35,000 young people had received government jobs and more than three lakh women had become Lakhpati Didis.
15 Personalities Receive Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman 2026
The celebrations also included the presentation of the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman Awards 2026 to 15 distinguished personalities by Amit Shah and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Among the awardees:
- Narendra Singh Negi: The renowned folk singer received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Hemant Pandey: The actor was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Additionally, six children were presented with the first Chief Minister’s State Bravery Awards in recognition of their courage. Each recipient received a cash prize of ₹51,000.
CM Dhami Highlights Infrastructure and Economic Growth
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state government was working towards making Uttarakhand developed and prosperous with the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He highlighted the expansion of connectivity, tourism, industries, self-employment opportunities and basic infrastructure as key areas of the state’s development strategy.
Dhami also referred to Uttarakhand’s first position in NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals India Index and thanked the Union Home Minister for the conferment of the prestigious President’s Police Colour on Uttarakhand Police.
The programme was attended by Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, former chief ministers, MPs, state ministers, MLAs, senior officials and other public representatives.
The 62 projects announced during the State Foundation Day celebrations span infrastructure, public utilities, education, tourism and healthcare, with implementation to be taken up by the respective state departments.
