CM Dhami met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : The Chief Minister extended his best wishes to the Finance Minister for the successful implementation of GST reforms and expressed gratitude for the continuous support extended by the Ministry of Finance to Uttarakhand.

He stated that the population pressure in the urban areas of Uttarakhand is steadily increasing. Given that Uttarakhand is an ecologically sensitive and high-rainfall state, there is an urgent need to improve and upgrade the urban drainage system. In this regard, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared for upgrading and improving storm water drainage systems in the 10 most rain-affected districts of the state, with a total estimated cost of ₹8,589.47 crore.

The Chief Minister requested the Union Finance Minister to approve these projects under the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment to States.

He also urged for early approval of the state’s Externally Aided Projects (EAPs). Out of three major projects submitted by the state government, the Uttarakhand Climate Resilience Development Project has already received approval. In addition, proposals worth ₹850 crore for the Public Financial Management Strengthening Project and ₹800 crore for improving the water supply system have been sent to the Central Government. The Chief Minister requested the Finance Minister to expedite the approval process for these projects.

Further, CM Dhami requested early approval of four additional major projects beyond the ceiling of EAPs for the financial years 2023–24 to 2025–26, as per the earlier assurance given to the state. These include:

• The ₹2,000 crore Urban Infrastructure Development Project for Water and Sanitation
• The ₹424 crore DRIP Phase III (Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project)
• The ₹3,638 crore Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Intra-State Power Transmission System Development Project
• The ₹1,566 crore Uttarakhand Power Distribution Reliability Improvement Project

He said that all these projects would play a vital role in strengthening the state’s infrastructure, water resource management, energy sector, and public service delivery systems.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured Chief Minister Dhami of all possible support.

(Department of Information and Public Relations)