New Delhi: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the BTIndia@100 programme held in New Delhi. During the event, while speaking on the theme “Uttarakhand: The State Driving India’s Industrial Development Journey,” he highlighted the state’s industrial potential, investment opportunities, improved connectivity, employment prospects for youth and Uttarakhand’s development model before leading industrialists from across the country.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand’s industrial identity has undergone a major transformation following the Global Investors Summit held in 2023. Representatives from more than 50 countries participated in the summit, which was held under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Instead of allowing investment proposals to remain limited to memorandums of understanding, the government made preparations at the policy and administrative levels to ensure their implementation on the ground. More than 30 new policies have been introduced in the state with the objective of creating an investor-friendly environment.
He said Uttarakhand’s geographical conditions are different from those of other states and the availability of large industrial land banks is limited. However, land is available in Haridwar, Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar according to industrial requirements. The government is committed to providing investors with the necessary infrastructure along with land.
Describing improved connectivity as one of the state’s major strengths, the Chief Minister said the completion of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor has reduced travel time between the two cities. More than 50 air services are available from Dehradun to major cities across the country. Pantnagar is also emerging as an important centre for industrial activity in addition to agriculture. He described the proposed greenfield airport as significant from the perspective of industrial and freight-transport development.
He said industrial development is not being confined only to the plains. Work is underway to develop industrial parks in Pauri, Almora and Chamoli. Schemes such as One District, Two Products are being used to connect local products, small entrepreneurs and traditional economic activities with markets.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand has made significant progress in creating an investment-friendly environment. The state has secured the top position in NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals ranking. He identified employment for youth and transparent recruitment as government priorities. According to the Chief Minister, more than 34,000 young people have been appointed to government services over the past five years. Strict action has been taken in cases of cheating and paper leaks to ensure transparency in the recruitment process.
He said the scope of startups and self-employment has also expanded rapidly in the state. According to him, when he became Chief Minister, the state had around 700 startups, a number that has now grown to nearly 2,000. Young people and women are moving toward self-employment through homestays, small hotels, agriculture, horticulture and local enterprises. Through Mukhyamantri Udyamshala, youth and women are being provided information and support related to starting businesses, training, markets and loan procedures. More than 13,000 people have received training under the initiative so far.
Referring to the challenge of migration, the Chief Minister said making use of “the water and youth of the hills” for the development of the state is a government priority. The expansion of tourism, self-employment and local economic activities is encouraging reverse migration. He also referred to a 44% increase in reverse migration in the state.
Describing tourism as an important pillar of the state’s economy, the Chief Minister said large numbers of pilgrims and tourists are visiting destinations such as the Char Dham, the Kanwar Yatra and Adi Kailash. This has boosted tourism-based economic activity and local employment in border areas.
He said Uttarakhand is a safe, peaceful state with immense investment potential. Its natural resources, strong law and order, skilled human resources, tourism potential and improving connectivity make it attractive for long-term investment. The Chief Minister invited the top leadership of major automobile companies, including Maruti and Hyundai, to invest in Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand’s development model is no longer limited to tourism and natural resources. By integrating industrial development, startups, self-employment, the digital economy, local products and new economic activities in the hill regions, the state is moving toward balanced development. The government’s goal is to ensure that the benefits of investment and employment opportunities reach both the plains and the hill regions of the state.
