Dehradun: The villages of Uttarakhand will soon see a new network of roads. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the Centre has approved Rs 1700 crore for the construction of 184 rural roads.
The total length of these roads will be 1,228 kilometers, which will greatly improve connectivity in remote and mountainous areas.
Meeting in Delhi
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Delhi to discuss issues related to agriculture, rural development, and disaster-resistant infrastructure. During this meeting, the Union Minister gave approval for the road project, which is expected to bring relief and development to rural Uttarakhand.
Roads damaged in disaster
The Chief Minister highlighted that 946 roads and 15 bridges in the state were severely damaged in recent natural disasters. He said that Rs 650 crore is needed for their reconstruction. Dhami explained that such damage is especially challenging for a hilly state with limited resources, and requested special support from the Centre. He also sought funds for repairing 5,900 houses damaged in the disaster.
Fencing of fields
Another major issue raised was crop damage caused by wild animals. The Chief Minister thanked the Centre for including fencing of fields under the RKVY-DPR scheme. He requested Rs 200 crore per year for the next five years, totaling Rs 1000 crore, to solve this problem. The Union Minister assured that funds would be allocated soon.
Namami Gange campaign
Dhami also requested the release of Rs 98 crore approved for this year’s Namami Gange Cleanliness Campaign under PM-RKVY. The Union Minister assured that the Centre would provide all possible support, keeping the state’s needs a priority.
Gratitude from the State
Expressing gratitude, Chief Minister Dhami said, “Thank you to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for approving Rs 1700 crore for rural roads. This will strengthen connectivity, boost the rural economy, and accelerate Uttarakhand’s development.”
Rajya Sabha member Mahendra Bhatt and officials from the Agriculture and PMGSY departments were also present during the meeting.