Dhami Launches Sharda River Corridor Project in Champawat

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday laid the foundation stone of the ambitious Sharda river corridor project at Tanakpur in Champawat district, signalling the start of a large-scale infrastructure and tourism-driven development initiative for the region. The project is aimed at boosting economic activity, religious tourism and employment generation in the border district.

Foundation Laid at Tanakpur

Chief Minister “Pushkar Singh Dhami” said the Sharda corridor was a key commitment made during the election campaign and would play a transformative role in Champawat’s development. Addressing a public gathering, he stated that the project would strengthen tourism, promote cultural initiatives and create new livelihood opportunities, particularly for local youth.

Scale of Investment and Project Components

The Sharda river corridor project will span nearly 200 square kilometres of Champawat district, with a total proposed investment of about ₹3,300 crore. As part of the first phase, the chief minister inaugurated the redevelopment of Sharda Ghat at a cost of ₹10.7 crore and the first phase of the Tanakpur city drainage system costing ₹66 crore. He also inaugurated a helipad at Chuka and a multi-storey parking facility to improve regional connectivity and urban infrastructure.

Tourism, Adventure and Cultural Focus

Under the corridor plan, the state government has proposed facilities for adventure tourism, including river rafting on the Sharda river and paragliding. Dhami said efforts were also underway to extend the Purnagiri mela beyond its present three-month duration, with the objective of attracting tourists throughout the year and ensuring sustained economic activity in the region.

Important Facts for Exams

• Sharda river flows along the India–Nepal border in Uttarakhand.
• Champawat district is part of the Kumaon region.
• River corridor projects integrate tourism and infrastructure development.
• Purnagiri mela is a major religious fair of Uttarakhand.

Heritage Conservation Across Uttarakhand

The chief minister said the state government has prioritised conservation and development of cultural and religious heritage sites. He cited ongoing initiatives at temples in Devidhura, Bageshwar, Jageshwar, Patal Bhuvaneshwar and the Goljyu temple in Champawat. According to Dhami, the Sharda corridor will complement these efforts by linking heritage preservation with modern infrastructure and sustainable tourism development.