Dehradun/New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday at Kartavya Bhavan. The meeting focused on key issues related to the state’s development, infrastructure expansion, public welfare schemes, and strengthening Centre–State coordination.
Both leaders held detailed discussions on ongoing development projects and future strategies to accelerate Uttarakhand’s growth.
Review of Ongoing Infrastructure and Welfare Projects in Uttarakhand
During the meeting, Chief Minister Dhami provided a detailed update on various ongoing development works in the state. These included major projects in:
- Road infrastructure
- Healthcare
- Education
- Tourism
He also discussed upcoming plans and projects being implemented with central government support, emphasizing the need for continued assistance for remote and mountainous regions.
Major Breakthrough: Kishau Dam Project Moves Forward
A key outcome of the meeting was progress on the long-pending Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project, which is expected to significantly boost Uttarakhand’s energy capacity.
The project will provide approximately 220 MW of electricity to Uttarakhand, helping the state address its energy needs.
Key Highlights of the Kishau Project:
- Total estimated cost: ₹15,000 crore
- Expected power generation: 442 MW
- Annual electricity output: 1,379 million units
- Irrigation coverage: 97,076 hectares
- Reservoir length: ~32 km
- Height of dam: 235 meters
The project will be developed jointly by Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, with equal electricity sharing between the two states. Other beneficiary states include Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh through water-sharing arrangements.
Long-Standing Deadlock Resolved in Centre-Mediated Meeting
The project, conceptualized in 1944–45, has faced decades of delays due to financial and administrative disagreements, particularly between participating states.
The latest meeting, held in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, brought together all stakeholders and helped resolve the long-standing deadlock. Earlier, Himachal Pradesh had expressed inability to bear the financial burden, which had stalled progress.
The project cost has increased from ₹11,500 crore to ₹15,000 crore due to delays and revisions in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which has been updated multiple times since 1965.
Financial Structure and Central Support
Under the revised arrangement:
- Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh will jointly bear the cost of the power plant (around ₹1,536 crore total)
- Uttarakhand’s share of construction cost will be partially supported by the Centre
- The Central Government has agreed to provide approximately ₹800 crore as interest-free loan for 50 years
- Additional funding support will also be provided for electricity-related components
This financial restructuring is expected to accelerate project implementation.
Socio-Economic Impact: Villages and Population Affected
The Kishau Dam project will have a significant impact on local communities:
- Around 6,000 people likely to be affected
- 9 villages in Uttarakhand and 8 villages in Himachal Pradesh impacted
- Approximately 2,950 hectares of land (combined in both states) to be submerged
- Large-scale rehabilitation and resettlement plans expected
Strategic Importance: Asia’s Second-Largest Dam After Tehri
Once completed, Kishau Dam will become the second-largest dam in Asia after Tehri Dam.
- It will be higher than most existing large dams in India
- Located on the Tons River (a tributary of the Yamuna)
- Built across Dehradun district (Uttarakhand) and Sirmaur district (Himachal Pradesh)
The project is expected to play a crucial role in regional water management, power generation, and irrigation expansion.
Focus on Centre–State Coordination and Governance Efficiency
The meeting also emphasized strengthening coordination between the Centre and the State to ensure faster implementation of development schemes.
Both leaders agreed on the need for better alignment between government agencies to improve execution efficiency and ensure that welfare schemes reach the grassroots level effectively.
CM Dhami Reaffirms Commitment to Development
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reiterated that the state government is committed to taking Uttarakhand to new heights of development. He expressed confidence that continued support from the central government would further accelerate infrastructure growth and improve public welfare delivery across the state.
He also stressed that the government’s priority remains ensuring that the benefits of development reach every citizen, especially in remote and mountainous regions.
