Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday approved financial sanctions totalling approximately ₹190 crore for a package of development works spanning hydropower, road and bridge repairs, tourism infrastructure and police transport, according to state government communications.
Major allocations and projects
The largest single approval is for the construction of the Tankul hydropower project in Pithoragarh. The state has cleared ₹159.60 crore for the 12 MW power scheme through the Public Investment Board.
| Project / Item | District / Location | Approved amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tankul hydropower project (12 MW) | Pithoragarh | ₹159.60 crore |
| Tourist guest house upgrade (Chaukori) | Champawat / Chaukori | ₹4.75 crore |
| Reconstruction/strengthening of Saudi Lagga Kyari motor road | Dhanaulti (Jaunpur block) | ₹3.25 crore |
| Interlocking tile works & internal road repairs (villages) | Sahaspur | ₹4.23 crore |
| Improvement work on Kanskhet–Asgad–Ghandiyal Dhar–Alasu–Kunkuli motor road (km 13–17) | Pauri Garhwal | ₹3.45 crore |
| 36-metre-span double-lane bridge at Gabbar Singh Camp | Kotdwar | ₹3.31 crore |
| Police vehicles and related fund | Statewide | ₹12.00 crore |
In addition to the above, the government cleared funds for the procurement of 75 vehicles for the police department, comprising 21 Scorpios, 26 Boleros, 20 buses, eight trucks and other vehicles. Of the ₹12 crore placed at the disposal of the Director General of Police, ₹68.01 lakh is earmarked for pending payments relating to five riot-control and jammer-equipped vehicles from 2025–26.
Connectivity push and Centre's response
The state has also sought to bring several strategic roads into the national highway network as spurs. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Chief Minister that the proposals have been forwarded to concerned officials at the Centre for examination. The roads suggested for inclusion include links connecting Sikura Band to NTD in Almora, Seraghat–Badchhina, Marchula–Bhikiyasen and Kalsi–Chakrata.
“Stronger connectivity would support tourism, trade and local economies in hill and border areas,” Dhami said, according to the state communication.
The state government framed the road proposals as measures that would enhance access to border and hill communities and boost tourism and trade.
Local impact and administrative priorities
Officials said the Tankul hydropower approval is part of the state’s broader effort to augment local power generation and infrastructure investment in high-altitude districts. The road and bridge works are targeted at improving year-round access on motorable links that are frequently affected by landslides and weather-related damage.
- Hydropower: Major capex on a single project to strengthen electricity generation in Pithoragarh.
- Transport: Multiple motor road repairs and a new bridge aim to improve connectivity in Pauri Garhwal, Kotdwar and Dhanaulti.
- Tourism: Guest house upgrade at Chaukori seeks to bolster infrastructure for visitors.
- Police capacity: Fleet expansion and pending payments to maintain law-and-order operations.
State officials have said such targeted allocations are intended to combine economic development with improved service delivery in hill areas. The Centre’s consideration of state proposals to add roads to the national network, if approved, would make those stretches eligible for central funding and faster upkeep under national highway maintenance regimes.
Next steps
The hydropower project will proceed through the Public Investment Board route, and concerned departments have been asked to begin administrative formalities and tendering where applicable. The highway inclusion proposals will continue through the Centre’s internal examination process; no decision by the Union government on those inclusions has been recorded beyond the forwarding of the proposals.
State officials declined to provide a timeline for completion of the road and bridge works, noting that execution will depend on site surveys, tendering schedules and weather windows in the hill districts.
