Uttarakhand CM Dhami met Union Jal Shakti Minister, discussed about the pending hydropower projects of the state

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil in New Delhi on Thursday. The Chief Minister said that water is an important resource for the social and economic development of Uttarakhand and hydropower projects are the main factor in increasing the state’s gross domestic product.

He said that to meet the demand of electric energy of Uttarakhand, energy worth Rs 1000 crore is purchased every year from the open market. About 25 thousand MW of hydropower potential has been estimated from the water sources available in the state, but at present only 4200 MW capacity is being exploited.

He said that in the review chaired by the Principal Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, out of the 70 projects proposed in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river valley, instructions have been given to continue the construction of only 7 projects whose construction work has been completed by more than 50 percent and not to start any new project.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Jal Shakti Minister that no ban has been imposed on the proposed hydropower projects on other river valleys other than Ganga and its tributaries in the border of Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister also informed that the Central Water Commission/Ministry of Water Resources is also not giving approval for the development of projects proposed in Pithoragarh district on other river valleys of the state such as Dhauliganga, Gauriganga. In this regard, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to grant permission for quick development and construction of projects located on other river valleys of the state.

Also requested approval of funding for Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program.

The Chief Minister said that the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project to be built in Haldwani will provide 170 MLD drinking water for the estimated population of Haldwani and border areas till the year 2051. Apart from this, water will be available for irrigation for about 57000 hectares of agricultural land in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program, Rs 1730.21 crore has been approved by the Government of India in October 2023 for funding for the construction of this project.

The Chief Minister also informed the Union Minister that the cost of the project at the price level of the year 2023 is Rs 3808.16 crore. He also requested the Union Minister to approve funding under the revised cost PMKSY-AIBP.

The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to grant early approval on the recommendation of 100 percent central funding for 15 projects costing Rs 170.57 crore in the border district of Pithoragarh of the state in the meeting of the Inter Ministerial Committee held in March 2023.

The Chief Minister said that it is proposed to construct Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Reservoir on Swarana River in Sahaspur development block of Dehradun district at a cost of Rs 203.3 crore. The case of inter-state clearance of this project is pending in the Upper Yamuna Board, for this also the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to grant approval.

The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister about the delay in the implementation of the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand and informed that a 204 meter high dam is to be built on the Yamuna River in Dehradun district under the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project. It is being constructed by the state’s hydropower generation company UJVN Ltd.

A contract letter was signed with the Central Water Commission, Government of India long back in September, 2013 for the design and engineering of the district and hydro mechanical works of the project and the tender drawings of the district work have been issued by the Central Water Commission in December, 2021.

For the early completion of the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project, the Chief Minister also requested the Union Minister to issue the drawing on priority from the Central Water Commission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The Chief Minister also informed the Union Minister that a high level committee has been constituted by the Uttarakhand Government to complete the Lakhwad Multipurpose Project soon, which is reviewing it regularly. Recently, a review meeting was held by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Climate Change after visiting the project site on 11-12 July. In which the matter of work being affected due to non-receipt of the required drawings till now in relation to the contract made with the Central Water Commission about ten years ago was brought to notice.

In this case, it has been agreed to constitute a separate cell in the Central Water Commission to issue drawings on priority basis within six months for the construction of this project. The Chief Minister also requested the Union Minister for instructions to take immediate action regarding issuing drawings on priority from the Central Water Commission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to complete the project soon.