Uttarakhand Chief Minister advocates to implement small hydro projects for Himalayan states

CM Dhami highlighted the persistent energy shortage during the NITI Aayog governing council meeting.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has called on the central government to grant Himalayan states the authority to approve and implement hydropower projects with a capacity of less than 25 MW. In his address, Dhami emphasised the need for tailored policies for Himalayan states and urged the Centre to implement a proposed 24 per cent capital subsidy for small hydropower projects in these regions as well as in the northeastern states.

“The chief minister highlighted that developed nations rely heavily on their urban areas as engines of growth, but the excessive population in these cities makes it challenging to provide basic facilities,” the Uttarakhand government said in a press release. Dhami proposed the development of ‘counter magnet areas’ between different cities to alleviate this issue.

Furthermore, Dhami stressed the importance of focusing on artificial intelligence and quantum technology to achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047. He also reiterated the need for special attention to water conservation, citing a severe drinking water crisis in many cities. He suggested increasing groundwater levels and revitalising water sources through initiatives like the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority in Uttarakhand and called for additional financial and technical support from the central government.

On the topic of rural development, Dhami advocated for promoting entrepreneurship by establishing cluster-based incubation centres and growth centres. He reported that Uttarakhand has set up two rural incubation centres and 110 growth centres as a pilot project, and urged the Centre to provide support for expanding these efforts.

Additionally, Dhami requested the inclusion of lift irrigation in the guidelines of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the special financial provisions made for Uttarakhand in this year’s union budget. He also noted that the state has passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill under the Prime Minister’s guidance.

The Chief Minister’s requests aim to support Uttarakhand’s ongoing efforts to achieve its developmental goals while addressing regional challenges.