Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Discusses Hydropower Projects with Union Minister CR Patil
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil in New Delhi on Thursday. CM Dhami emphasized that water is crucial for Uttarakhand’s social and economic development, and hydropower projects significantly contribute to the state’s GDP.
He mentioned that Uttarakhand purchases energy worth Rs 1,000 crore annually from the open market to meet its electric energy demands. Although the state has an estimated hydropower potential of 25,000 MW, only 4,200 MW is currently being utilized.
During a review chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, it was decided to continue only seven out of 70 proposed projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river valleys, as these seven projects are more than 50% complete. No new projects will be started in these valleys.
CM Dhami informed the Union Minister that there is no ban on proposed hydropower projects in river valleys other than the Ganga and its tributaries. He also mentioned that the Central Water Commission has not approved projects in Pithoragarh district on rivers like Dhauliganga and Gauriganga.
He requested the Union Minister to grant permission for the quick development of these projects and to approve funding for the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program.
Additionally, CM Dhami requested early approval for 15 projects costing Rs 170.57 crore in Pithoragarh, as recommended by the Inter-Ministerial Committee in March 2023. He also mentioned that a high-level committee has been formed to expedite the Lakhwad Multipurpose Project, which is under regular review.
Finally, he requested the Union Minister to instruct the Central Water Commission to prioritize the issuance of drawings to complete the Lakhwad project soon.
Doubts Revealed
Uttarakhand -: Uttarakhand is a state in northern India known for its beautiful mountains and rivers.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in a state in India.
Pushkar Singh Dhami -: Pushkar Singh Dhami is the current Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a member of the central government in India, responsible for a specific department.
CR Patil -: CR Patil is the Union Jal Shakti Minister, responsible for water resources in India.
New Delhi -: New Delhi is the capital city of India where the central government is located.
hydropower projects -: Hydropower projects use water to generate electricity, which is important for providing power to homes and businesses.
Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project -: The Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project is a plan to build a dam that will help with water supply, irrigation, and electricity generation.
Pithoragarh -: Pithoragarh is a district in Uttarakhand known for its scenic beauty and mountainous terrain.
high-level committee -: A high-level committee is a group of important people who make decisions about big projects.
Lakhwad Multipurpose Project -: The Lakhwad Multipurpose Project is another plan to build a dam for water supply, irrigation, and electricity in Uttarakhand.
