We accelerated the pace of road construction work. This year, the amount has been doubled to Rs 400 crore. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is also funding a project in the state for which certain roads are being identified.

I was surprised to find out that approximately Rs 220 crore, given to the state by the Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, was not utilised by the previous government. I immediately raised 9 divisions of PWD, which are now working on this scheme.

Owing to the excise and income tax exemptions and other incentives, a large number of investments have been made in the industrial sector in the state. However, almost all investments have been planned for plain areas in Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar. Keeping this in mind, after detailed discussions with the entrepreneurs and all other stakeholders, the Government of Uttarakhand recently announced an Integrated Industrial Development Policy for remote and hilly regions of the state. Under it, attractive incentives are being provided for non-polluting manufacturing and identified service sector activities.

Uttarakhand’s geography provides it an excellent opportunity for hydropower projects. Its estimated hydro potential is 25,450 MW, out of which, so far, only 3,128 MW is being harnessed.

Projects of 13,363 MW have been allotted to various agencies for construction. The state has embarked on the path of increasing power generation to 5000 MW through environmentally appropriate means. It is progressing at full pace towards capacity addition and within the next ten years, it will increase its existing capacity up to three-and-half times.

... contd.