Uttarakhand Secures Additional Rs 734 Crore Under Central Capital Investment Scheme
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Friday that the Union Ministry of Finance has sanctioned an additional allocation of Rs 734 crore to Uttarakhand under the Special Assistance Scheme to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for the financial year 2025-26. This significant funding boost comes alongside Rs 25 crore specifically earmarked for urban land reforms initiatives across the state.
Total Assistance Reaches Rs 1,806.5 Crore This Fiscal Year
With this latest sanction, the total financial assistance provided to Uttarakhand under the SASCI scheme during the current financial year has now reached an impressive Rs 1,806.5 crore. Chief Minister Dhami emphasized that this substantial funding infusion will play a crucial role in supporting the state government's ambitious vision of creating a "Developed Uttarakhand" by accelerating infrastructure development and public welfare projects.
PRAGATI Portal Drives Project Monitoring and Implementation
During his announcement, Chief Minister Dhami highlighted the instrumental role of the PRAGATI portal in monitoring and expediting key development projects across Uttarakhand. Launched in 2015 as part of the Digital India programme, this innovative platform has been specifically designed to fast-track the implementation of major government schemes while simultaneously addressing public grievances efficiently.
The Chief Minister revealed that the PRAGATI mechanism has significantly accelerated progress across multiple sectors including:
- Infrastructure development
- Transportation networks
- Railway connectivity
- Information technology initiatives
- Healthcare facilities
- Air connectivity improvements
Comprehensive Project Portfolio Under Active Monitoring
Dhami provided detailed insights into Uttarakhand's extensive project portfolio, noting that 42 major projects with a cumulative investment value of Rs 3.50 lakh crore are currently being monitored across the state. Among these, 15 high-value projects worth approximately Rs 1.22 lakh crore are receiving special attention through the PRAGATI review mechanism.
The project status breakdown reveals:
- 10 projects have been successfully completed
- 32 projects are currently underway with active implementation
- 12 ongoing projects are being closely monitored via the PRAGATI system
Sector-Wise Distribution of Monitored Projects
The Chief Minister elaborated on the sectoral distribution of projects under PRAGATI monitoring, which includes:
- 19 road and highway projects aimed at improving connectivity
- 3 IT/ITES projects to boost digital infrastructure
- 3 power generation projects for enhanced energy security
- 2 railway projects focusing on transportation networks
- 1 project each in agriculture, industry and commerce, education, health, and waste and water management sectors
Flagship Infrastructure Initiatives Transforming Connectivity
Chief Minister Dhami specifically highlighted two transformative infrastructure projects that are set to revolutionize connectivity in Uttarakhand's challenging terrain. The Char Dham road project and the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag railway line represent critical investments in the state's transportation network.
These ambitious initiatives are expected to deliver multiple benefits including:
- Substantial improvement in connectivity to remote mountain regions
- Significant boost to tourism and pilgrimage activities
- Creation of alternative transportation routes during monsoon seasons when traditional roads often face blockages
- Enhanced economic opportunities for local communities
- Improved access to essential services in previously isolated areas
The additional funding under the SASCI scheme represents a strategic investment in Uttarakhand's long-term development trajectory, with the PRAGATI monitoring system ensuring efficient utilization of resources and timely completion of projects that will shape the state's future growth and prosperity.
