CM Dhami Sanctions Rs 14.6 Cr for Temples, Flood Works
Synopsis
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved over Rs 14.6 crore on August 14, 2026, for temple beautification in Khatima and Karnaprayag, flood-protective riverbank works at Yamunotri Dham in Uttarkashi, and renovation of Dehradun's state soldiers' rest home.
Key Takeaways
Rs 12.63 crore sanctioned for flood-protective works along both banks of the Yamuna from Jankichatti to Akhoripur Bridge at Yamunotri Dham , Uttarkashi.
Rs 1.00 crore approved for beautification of Shri Gauri Shankar Mahadev Mandir in Khatima , Udham Singh Nagar.
Rs 98.28 lakh allocated for beautification and expansion of Maa Adishakti Devaradi Devi temple at Ranigadh (Deval), Karnaprayag, Chamoli.
Rs 38.76 lakh sanctioned for renovation of the state-level Sainik Vishram Griha in Dehradun .
Total outlay across all four approvals exceeds Rs 14.6 crore , announced on August 14, 2026 .
Three districts. Four projects. One sweeping sanction — and at the heart of it, Uttarakhand's twin imperatives of faith and flood safety. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved funds totalling over Rs 14.6 crore on Friday, August 14, 2026, covering temple beautification in Khatima and Karnaprayag, critical riverbank flood protection at Yamunotri Dham, and the renovation of a state-level soldiers' rest home in Dehradun.
What the four sanctions cover
The largest allocation — Rs 12.63 crore — goes to flood-protective works along both banks of the Yamuna river in Uttarkashi district's Naugaon block, spanning from Jankichatti's Shri Ram Mandir to Akhoripur Bridge within the Yamunotri Dham circuit. Yamunotri is one of the four sacred Char Dham sites, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each yatra season — making riverbank stability not just an infrastructure question but a safety imperative. The second tranche — Rs 1.00 crore — is earmarked for the beautification of the Shri Gauri Shankar Mahadev Mandir premises in Khatima, the assembly constituency in Udham Singh Nagar district that CM Dhami himself represents. A third allocation of Rs 98.28 lakh will fund the beautification and courtyard expansion of the ancient Maa Adishakti Devaradi Devi temple at Ranigadh (Deval) in the Karnaprayag constituency of Chamoli district — a site with deep mythological roots in the Kumaon-Garhwal belt.A soldiers' rest home gets long-overdue attention
Separately, Rs 38.76 lakh has been sanctioned for the renovation of the state-level Sainik Vishram Griha (soldiers' rest home) in Dehradun. Uttarakhand contributes a disproportionately high number of personnel to the Indian armed forces relative to its population, making veteran welfare facilities a politically and emotionally resonant commitment for any state government.Yamunotri's flood risk — the stakes behind the headline number
The Rs 12.63 crore flood-protection outlay is the one that carries the most consequence. The Jankichatti-to-Akhoripur stretch sits on the approach corridor to Yamunotri, and flash floods in Uttarkashi — a district scarred by repeated cloudburst disasters — have historically disrupted yatra routes and endangered pilgrims. Riverbank armoring along both sides of the Yamuna at this altitude is technically demanding and seasonally urgent. Uttarakhand administrations have consistently bundled temple upkeep with riverbank protection along pilgrimage circuits, recognising that a damaged approach road or a breached bank can shut down an entire dham for a season. The four sanctions together signal a familiar but deliberate pattern: religious heritage, disaster resilience, and veteran welfare — the three pillars that Uttarakhand's political economy keeps returning to, budget cycle after budget cycle. Whether the execution matches the approval will be the question worth tracking when the state's next budget session convenes.Point of View
In CM Dhami's own constituency, will draw predictable scrutiny even if the project has local merit. The Sainik Vishram Griha sanction, modest in rupee terms, carries outsized symbolic weight in a state that sends more soldiers per capita to the armed forces than most others. Collectively, these approvals reinforce Dhami's positioning ahead of any electoral cycle: faith, safety, and soldier welfare as an unassailable trifecta.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money did CM Dhami sanction for Yamunotri Dham flood protection?
Rs 12.63 crore has been sanctioned for flood-protective works along both banks of the Yamuna river in Naugaon block, Uttarkashi, covering the stretch from Jankichatti's Shri Ram Mandir to Akhoripur Bridge within the Yamunotri Dham area.
Which temples received beautification funds in CM Dhami's August 2026 announcement?
Two temples received funds: Shri Gauri Shankar Mahadev Mandir in Khatima (Rs 1.00 crore) and Maa Adishakti Devaradi Devi temple at Ranigadh (Deval) in Karnaprayag, Chamoli (Rs 98.28 lakh).
What is the Sainik Vishram Griha in Dehradun and why was it renovated?
The Sainik Vishram Griha is a state-level soldiers' rest home in Dehradun. CM Dhami approved Rs 38.76 lakh for its renovation, reflecting Uttarakhand's strong tradition of veteran welfare given the state's high military recruitment rates.
Where is Devaradi Devi temple located?
The Maa Adishakti Devaradi Devi temple is located at Ranigadh (Deval) in the Karnaprayag assembly constituency of Chamoli district , Uttarakhand.
Why is flood protection at Yamunotri Dham important?
Yamunotri is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites and attracts large numbers of pilgrims each yatra season. Flash floods in Uttarkashi district have historically disrupted approach routes, making riverbank protection critical for pilgrim safety and uninterrupted yatra access.
