The Government of India has approved Rs 1,400 crore (US$ 200 million) under Urban Infrastructure Development scheme for Secondary Towns for 16 urban areas of Uttarakhand. Expressing happiness at this development, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Rawat said that this will help expedite infrastructural development works especially those related to drinking water, sewerage, drainage, roads, transport, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in urban areas.

He said that the PM has maintained special focus on Uttarakhand with major impetus being accorded to developmental efforts in the state with approval for this infrastructural development scheme for urban areas after the all-weather road project, Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project, Kedarnath reconstruction and cooperative development scheme.

The CM informed that the Deparment of Economic Affairs, Government of India has granted approval to Rs 1,400 crore for urban infrastructural development in 16 medium category towns in Uttarakhand.

This sum has been approved in the first phase. Rawat further said that in the first phase of this scheme, works will be undertaken to facilitate 24x7 drinking water supply, waste water management, rainwater management, urban roads, traffic and parking-vending zones, ICT and open spaces at Doiwala and Vikasnagar in Dehradun district, Pithoragarh town in the same district, Kashipur and Rudrapur in Udham Singh Nagar district. In addition to this, similar works are proposed to be undertaken in 11 urban local body areas of six districts.

These include Gopeshwar and Joshimath in Chamoli district, Srinagar in Pauri district, Champawat and Tanakpupr in Champawat district, Almora town in the same district, Bageshwar town in the same district, Kichha, Khatima, Jaspur and Sitarganj in Udham Singh Nagar district.

As part of this project, works related to drinking water supply, sewerage, drainage, road, transport ICT and others are proposed to be undertaken in two phases in 16 towns in nine districts.

The duration of the project will be 10 years with its total proposed expenditure being Rs  2,800 crore. The expenditure will be shared by the Centre and State in the ratio of 80:20 respectively.

This project is funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and its execution will be facilitated by the Uttarakhand Urban Area Development Agency under the Urban Development department.

Under this project, 24-hour water supply will be facilitated and water meters will be installed at homes to reduce wastage.

Waste water treatment will also be facilitated to ensure safe, clean and healthful environmental conditions. While development works will be undertaken for management of rainwater, roads and parking spaces will be built to enhance traffic management.

Vending zones will also be made for small and retail vendors. Additionally, ICT will be used for regular improvement and empowerment of local bodies.