Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved development and welfare funding worth ₹174 crore in a single sitting. The approvals include a ₹99 crore package for infrastructure and public development projects across multiple districts, along with a separate ₹75 crore allocation to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the State Health Authority's Golden Card Scheme and to clear pending payments owed to empanelled hospitals.
Where the ₹99 Crore Will Be Spent
The approved development package covers projects across Nainital, Rudraprayag, Dehradun, Haridwar, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Pauri Garhwal and Bageshwar. The funding targets improvements in transport infrastructure, sanitation, roads, tourism, public utilities, education and religious facilities.
Major allocations include ₹3.68 crore for automation of the Automated Driving Test Track in Ramnagar, ₹9.45 crore for establishing a fire station in Haridwar's Bahadrabad Industrial Area, ₹5 crore for installing streetlights on the pilgrimage route to Maa Purnagiri Dham, and another ₹5 crore for constructing a power substation in the Saryu Valley and Shama region of Bageshwar.
Additional projects include treasury building renovation in Rudraprayag, a sewage treatment plant at the Police Communication Training Centre in Dehradun, road connectivity projects, footpaths, bridges, student facilities, temple beautification, dharamshalas and tourism-focused infrastructure such as the proposed "Beatles Street" development in Yamkeshwar.
₹75 Crore for the Golden Card Scheme
Alongside the infrastructure approvals, the Chief Minister sanctioned ₹75 crore from the state budget for the State Health Authority's Golden Card Scheme. The allocation is intended to ensure uninterrupted operation of the programme while clearing pending dues owed to empanelled hospitals.
The decision comes after repeated concerns from private hospitals regarding delayed reimbursements under the state's cashless healthcare schemes. Outstanding payments had crossed ₹130 crore at various points, prompting some hospitals to warn that they could suspend or limit cashless treatment if dues remained unpaid.
The Golden Card supports both the Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana, which provides up to ₹5 lakh in annual cashless medical coverage for resident families, and the healthcare scheme available to state government employees and pensioners.
Why It Matters
The approvals continue the Dhami government's ongoing strategy of releasing targeted funding packages for infrastructure and public welfare. The latest sanction follows recent approvals of ₹495 crore for preparations related to the 2027 Kumbh Mela and road development, as well as an ₹89 crore package for police housing announced last month.
While the infrastructure projects are expected to improve connectivity, tourism and civic facilities across several districts, the Golden Card allocation has an immediate impact on healthcare delivery. Timely reimbursement to hospitals ensures that lakhs of beneficiaries continue receiving cashless treatment without facing disruptions or unexpected out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Current Status
The approvals are based on the Chief Minister's Office announcement issued on July 12, 2026. The amounts released for several development projects represent first instalments, with additional funding expected to be sanctioned as construction and implementation progress.