Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday appeared in no mood to scrap the Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel project, saying “development is also important here”, at a time several experts have flagged unplanned and reckless infrastructure development in the state’s fragile hills.

Dhami, however, said: “We have to strike a balance between ecology and economy. There are many such projects in the state, which are progressing. The development of the state is also important while keeping in view the nature of the state.”

Dhami skipped direct questions on the fate of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district that collapsed on November 12.

It is part of an ambitious central government project aimed at providing all-weather connectivity to the four holy towns of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Asked about the future of the project, V.K. Singh, the minister of state for road transport and highways, had said three days ago: “The future is very bright.”