Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in “The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026” held in New Delhi. During the event, he spoke about the state’s development journey, covering topics such as Uttarakhand’s development model, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), good governance, employment, investment, tourism, the development of border areas, innovation, and infrastructure. The Chief Minister stated that Uttarakhand is establishing itself as one of the country’s leading states by striking a balance between development and environmental conservation.
The Chief Minister noted that by implementing the Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand has presented a new model of good governance and equal rights to the nation. The implementation of the UCC has fostered a positive atmosphere in society and strengthened the rights of women, children, and the elderly. He remarked that the “Ganga” of the Uniform Civil Code, originating from Uttarakhand, is now inspiring other states across the country to move towards equality and justice.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Uttarakhand has secured the top spot in NITI Aayog’s SDG rankings. In the category of hill and northeastern states, the state has also taken a leading position in creating a favorable policy environment for investment. The government’s objective is to ensure the benefits of development reach the last person in society and to create new opportunities for employment and self-employment for the youth.
Addressing the issue of employment, the Chief Minister pointed out that while approximately 16,000 government appointments were made in the two decades following the state’s formation, over 34,000 youths have been appointed to government services in the last five years alone. The government has accorded top priority to a transparent recruitment process. Strict action has been taken in cases of paper leaks and cheating; effective measures against the “cheating mafia” have resulted in the imprisonment of around 100 individuals. The confidence of the youth has been bolstered through comprehensive reforms in the recruitment process.
The Chief Minister added that the government has also taken significant steps to promote equality and modernity within the education system. In the state, the Madrasa Board has been abolished and replaced by the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority, a system designed to be inclusive of all sections of society. The objective is to provide equal and quality education to every child in the state. He stated that the education system is being strengthened with a ‘Nation First’ spirit. Action has been taken against more than 250 madrasas in the state that were not operating in accordance with established standards. It is the government’s priority to strengthen the ‘temples of learning’ in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and ensure that children receive quality education.
The Chief Minister mentioned that a campaign has also been launched against encroachments on government land in the state. Efforts are underway to secure government land and protect public assets through anti-encroachment drives.
He noted that Uttarakhand’s industrial identity has undergone a significant transformation following the Global Investors Summit held in 2023. Representatives from over 50 countries participated in this summit, which was organized under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Instead of limiting investment proposals merely to MoUs, the state government made advance preparations at both policy and administrative levels to translate them into reality on the ground.
More than 30 new policies have been formulated in the state to create an investor-friendly environment, yielding positive results in the form of the actual implementation of investment proposals.
The Chief Minister stated that road, rail, and ropeway connectivity in Uttarakhand is being rapidly strengthened. Work on the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project is progressing swiftly. Spanning approximately 125 kilometers, this rail project will provide new momentum to Uttarakhand’s connectivity in the coming years. It will offer great convenience to pilgrims visiting the Char Dham, tourists, and local residents, while also boosting economic activities in the mountainous regions.
He added that the launch of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor has significantly reduced travel time between the national capital and Dehradun. More than 50 flight services are available connecting Dehradun to major cities across the country. Haridwar is among the state’s key industrial hubs, while Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar has emerged as a significant center for both agricultural and industrial activities. The proposed greenfield airport at Pantnagar is also considered crucial for industrial and logistics development. Highlighting Uttarakhand’s tourism potential as a vital pillar of the state’s economy, the Chief Minister noted that large numbers of pilgrims and tourists are visiting for the Char Dham Yatra, Kanwar Yatra, and Adi Kailash Yatra. Mentioning that over 4.7 million pilgrims arrived during the first phase of the Char Dham Yatra alone, he stated that approximately 48 million pilgrims participated in the Kanwar Yatra. There has been a significant rise in the number of tourists and pilgrims visiting the Adi Kailash region following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit there. This has strengthened the tourism-based economy and local employment opportunities in the border areas.
The Chief Minister stated that efforts are underway to promote tourism activities throughout the year, rather than limiting tourism in the state to just one season. Char Dham, religious, and spiritual…
