Central Government Sanctions Rs 264.5 Crore Incentive for Uttarakhand's Urban Development Reforms
The Central Government has approved a substantial incentive amount of Rs 264.5 crore for the state of Uttarakhand. This financial boost is in recognition of various policy reforms successfully implemented by the state's housing and urban development department.
Approval Under Capital Investment Scheme
The incentive was officially sanctioned on Friday under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme for the financial year 2025-26. This scheme is designed to encourage states to undertake critical reforms and infrastructure projects.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his commitment to the Central Government's guidelines. "We are trying to implement all guidelines of the Centre with full commitment. In this sequence, an incentive amount of Rs 264.5 crore was approved for reforms adopted in the housing and urban development department," stated Dhami.
Breakdown of the Disbursement Amount
The approved Rs 264.5 crore incentive is allocated across several key urban development initiatives:
- Rs 3 crore for geographic information systems (GIS)-based utility mapping. This will cover essential infrastructure such as sewer systems, drinking water networks, and drainage works for the urban development department.
- Rs 6.5 crore for the comprehensive mapping of government land and buildings, aimed at improving land management and utilization.
- Rs 10 crore as an incentive for increasing income sources at the urban local body level, enhancing financial sustainability for municipal authorities.
Major Reforms and Corresponding Approvals
Under the umbrella of urban land and planning reforms, the Uttarakhand housing department has implemented significant regulatory changes:
- Rs 100 crore was approved by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for the implementation of town planning schemes and land pooling schemes. These reforms are crucial for organized urban expansion and efficient land use.
- Rs 140 crore has been earmarked for the redevelopment program of old urban areas, focusing on revitalizing aging infrastructure and improving living conditions in historic city centers.
- Rs 5 crore is allocated as an incentive for implementing green building standards in accordance with the state's construction and development bylaws, promoting environmental sustainability in new constructions.
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development had previously issued guidelines urging all states to adopt these policy reforms. Uttarakhand's proactive implementation has now been financially rewarded, setting a precedent for other states to follow in enhancing urban governance and infrastructure development.
