The Uttarakhand government has announced the development of four new cities in the 2025 budget, with two each in Garhwal and Kumaon. This initiative aims to reduce the growing population pressure in mountainous regions. Finance Minister Premchand Aggarwal emphasized the priority given to urban mobility, waste management, sewage treatment plants, and water recycling systems for sustainable urbanization.
A special plan has been introduced to transform Rishikesh into a world-class city. A ₹6.45 crore Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been approved for legacy waste disposal in Govindnagar under Swachh Bharat Mission-2, receiving central government approval. Additionally, a new park and open gym will be developed in the area. Similar waste management projects will be carried out in Dehradun, Haridwar, Roorkee, and Kashipur.
The budget also allocates ₹207.18 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Rural, ₹54.12 crore for PMAY Urban, and ₹25 crore for the EWS Housing Scheme. Urban development has been allotted ₹1,161.49 crore, while the Housing Development Department will receive ₹388.64 crore. The state government is also working on a new housing policy to ensure affordable housing for all income groups.
