Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has approved five major development projects related to drinking water, irrigation, roads, tourism and urban infrastructure, with a focus on strengthening public facilities across the state. The decisions were taken during a meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), chaired by 1992-batch IAS officer and Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan at the Secretariat in Dehradun.
The meeting reviewed a total of eight proposals from different departments. Of these, five proposals received approval, while three were kept pending for further examination and necessary review.
The approved projects include the ₹326.64 crore Pandit Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Reservoir Project in Sahaspur, the ₹382.40 crore Khairna Barrage Drinking Water Project in Nainital district, the construction of a circuit house in Bageshwar at a cost of ₹13.15 crore, and the improvement of the Kainchi Dham bypass motor road for ₹21.81 crore. Additionally, ₹25 crore was approved for integrated sanitation arrangements for the upcoming Kumbh Mela 2027 in Haridwar.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed officials to maintain financial discipline, technical quality, transparency and timely execution at every stage of development projects. He emphasised completing all necessary formalities on time to avoid unnecessary delays in project approvals and construction work.
Uttarakhand Approves ₹326.64 Crore Reservoir Project in Sahaspur
The committee approved the Irrigation Department’s Pandit Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Reservoir Project in Sahaspur, which is associated with a Chief Minister’s announcement. The project has an estimated cost of ₹326.64 crore.
With the approval, the project can move forward towards its implementation. The Chief Secretary instructed officials to properly examine all technical, geological, financial and administrative aspects related to the construction work.
He also stressed that all necessary clearances, approvals and departmental permissions should be obtained in advance to prevent obstacles after the commencement of construction.
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₹382.40 Crore Khairna Barrage Drinking Water Project Approved in Nainital
The Expenditure Finance Committee also approved the Khairna Barrage Drinking Water Project in Nainital district, estimated to cost ₹382.40 crore.
The drinking water project is considered important for strengthening basic infrastructure in the district. The government is focusing on taking development projects forward within निर्धारित timelines while ensuring that they address both present and future requirements.
The Chief Secretary directed officials to prepare project proposals after assessing current needs as well as future requirements. He also emphasised that cost estimates should be based on actual ground conditions and appropriate technical assessments.
Syunsi Lake and Rudraprayag Master Plan Proposals Sent for Review
The committee directed officials to review the proposal for the construction of Syunsi Lake in the Birokhal development block of the Bironkhal area under the Chaubattakhal Assembly constituency. The project is associated with a Chief Minister’s announcement.
The proposal related to Phase-I of the Rudraprayag city Master Plan was also kept for further examination.
During the discussion on the Rudraprayag Master Plan, the Chief Secretary laid special emphasis on the drainage system. He directed officials to ensure that the drainage plan is designed in such a way that untreated wastewater from households does not flow directly into the river.
He also stressed the need for an effective drainage and wastewater management system, along with proper consideration of environmental requirements and urban infrastructure.
Bageshwar to Get a New Circuit House at a Cost of ₹13.15 Crore
The committee approved the proposal for constructing a circuit house in Bageshwar district at an estimated cost of ₹13.15 crore.
The project, which is part of a Chief Minister’s announcement, is associated with the State Estate Department and the Public Works Department (PWD).
The proposed circuit house is expected to strengthen essential infrastructure in the district. The authorities have been directed to ensure that construction is carried out in accordance with prescribed standards and financial provisions.
₹21.81 Crore Approved for Kainchi Dham Bypass Road Improvement
The Uttarakhand government has approved ₹21.81 crore for the asphalting and improvement of the Kainchi Dham bypass motor road in Nainital district.
The project will be undertaken under the PWD’s State Plan and covers the road stretch from Dunighat to Ratighat (Padli) in Betalghat development block of the Nainital Assembly constituency.
The improvement work is expected to enhance road conditions and make transportation smoother along the route. The Chief Secretary emphasised maintaining construction quality and completing the work within the prescribed timeline.
₹25 Crore Approved for Sanitation Arrangements at Kumbh Mela 2027
The committee also approved a proposal worth ₹25 crore for integrated sanitation operations during Kumbh Mela 2027 in Haridwar.
The proposal falls under the Urban Development Department and the Haridwar Municipal Corporation. It involves providing human resources for maintaining sanitation arrangements during the major religious gathering.
Considering the large number of visitors expected during the Kumbh Mela, maintaining cleanliness will be a major administrative responsibility. The government has emphasised ensuring proper monitoring of agencies providing outsourced sanitation services and verifying the actual deployment and attendance of sanitation workers.
The Chief Secretary directed the Kumbh Mela Officer and concerned officials to develop an effective verification mechanism for agencies and their employees. He suggested using modern technologies, including biometric verification, to establish whether workers are actually deployed at their designated locations.
He further instructed officials to conduct regular monitoring and ensure that payments to agencies and workers are released only after the necessary verification. The move aims to improve transparency, accountability and the proper utilisation of resources during sanitation operations.
Kedarnath Dham Infrastructure Project Cost to Undergo Detailed Examination
The proposal related to comprehensive infrastructure development, substation panels and other construction works at Shri Kedarnath Dham was kept pending for further review.
The proposal involves the Tourism Department and the Public Works Department.
The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to conduct a detailed verification of the additional increase in the project’s estimated cost. Officials have been asked to examine the reasons behind the cost escalation, the actual requirement of the proposed works and other relevant aspects before submitting a revised proposal.
A decision on the project will be taken in accordance with the prescribed rules after the examination process is completed.
He also emphasised that all technical and financial aspects should be assessed at the initial planning stage to prevent unnecessary increases in project costs.
Chief Secretary Emphasises Financial Discipline and Project Quality
During the meeting, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan directed all departments to conduct a detailed assessment of every stage of development projects, from planning and cost estimation to implementation and physical verification.
He stressed that financial management and future requirements must be taken into account while preparing project estimates. He also instructed officials to avoid delays that could lead to unnecessary cost escalation.
The Chief Secretary said that, except in unavoidable circumstances, departments should not have to submit revised proposals due to increases in project costs. If cost escalation becomes necessary under special circumstances, the reasons, consent of the concerned stakeholders and all required approvals must be clearly documented.
He also highlighted the importance of physical verification of development works. Such verification should be conducted through competent officials at the prescribed levels and authorised agencies to ensure construction quality and financial accountability.
Senior Officials Attend Expenditure Finance Committee Meeting
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretaries R.K. Sudhanshu and R. Meenakshi Sundaram, PWD Secretary Pankaj Pandey, Dr R. Rajesh Kumar, Planning Department Secretary Shridhar Babu Adanki and other senior officials from the concerned departments.
The Uttarakhand government reiterated its commitment to ensuring financial discipline, transparency and timely implementation of development projects. Departments have been instructed to complete the necessary procedures and ensure that the benefits of approved projects reach the public within the stipulated timeframe.
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