Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/NEW DELHI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi today and requested approval for eight hydropower projects aimed at accelerating the state’s social and economic development. The Chief Minister emphasized the state’s commitment to balancing ecological preservation with sustainable progress.
During the meeting, CM Dhami reiterated that the Uttarakhand government remains fully dedicated to maintaining the sanctity, uninterrupted flow, and environmental integrity of the holy Ganga and other rivers. He stated that the state is moving forward with development plans in accordance with expert recommendations, ensuring that environmental concerns are respected.
Highlighting the case of the 114 MW Sela Urthing Hydroelectric Project in Pithoragarh, the Chief Minister clarified that the project lies on the Dhauliganga river, which does not fall within the Ganga basin. As there is no ban on hydropower projects outside the Ganga and its tributaries, he urged the Union Minister to approve the project and direct the concerned officials to expedite the process.
In addition to the Sela Urthing project, the Chief Minister requested central approval for seven more hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 647 MW, aligning with the recommendations made by a high-level committee led by the Cabinet Secretary of the Government of India. He stressed that these projects are crucial for the state’s energy security and economic growth, especially in the hill districts.
The meeting underlined Uttarakhand’s ongoing efforts to harness clean energy while ensuring river conservation. CM Dhami expressed hope that with central cooperation, these projects would soon move forward, contributing to the state’s vision of environmentally responsible and inclusive development.
