Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has once again demonstrated why he has emerged as one of the most active and hands-on leaders in the hill state. In a whirlwind two-day schedule covering Bageshwar, Almora and Chamoli, the Chief Minister held late-night public interactions, conducted on-site inspections, reviewed upcoming winter travel preparations and personally monitored welfare disbursements worth over ₹96 crore.
At a time when intense winter conditions have pushed temperatures across the hill districts to near-freezing levels, Dhami’s decision to stay on the ground until late hours has drawn widespread public attention and appreciation.
Long Hours, Tough Terrain: CM Dhami’s Field-Centric Model of Governance
During the visit, the Chief Minister spent extended hours meeting locals in remote pockets of Kapkot region and other hill settlements. Through open gatherings on roadside stretches, school grounds and village clusters, he interacted with residents well into the night to ensure that grievances were heard and resolved promptly.
Officials accompanying him said this approach of “direct ground verification” has significantly improved the speed of decision-making in state departments, an attribute that Dhami has emphasised repeatedly over the last four-and-a-half years.
Massive Turnout Reflects Growing Public Confidence
Across all three districts, the Chief Minister’s public meetings witnessed strong attendance. From hilly helipads to town centres, large crowds gathered to greet him, often breaking security protocol lines to meet him personally. Dhami, known for stepping off the stage to interact closely with the public, maintained the same informal and approachable style throughout the tour.
One of the largest gatherings was seen at the Shaheed Mela in Chamoli, where the Chief Minister paid tribute to fallen soldiers. The event turned into a massive show of public solidarity, with thousands participating in honour of the state’s legacy of valour.
Immediate Response After Return: Action on Goa Fire Tragedy
Returning to Dehradun late in the night, the Chief Minister immediately took cognisance of the Goa fire incident that reportedly affected individuals from Uttarakhand. Dhami telephoned Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and requested urgent assistance for those impacted. The prompt outreach was widely noted by administrative observers as an example of Dhami’s rapid decision-making style, which has been a hallmark of his tenure.
Welfare Push: Over ₹96 Crore Disbursed During the Tour
The Chief Minister’s engagements were not limited to meetings and inspections. In Kapkot, he addressed a large public event where he announced and released major welfare packages:
₹26.5 crore granted to 40,000 women beneficiaries associated with self-help groups
₹70 crore directly transferred through DBT to 36,000 eligible households
Multiple infrastructure and public utility projects inaugurated or unveiled
These measures, officials noted, are part of a wider effort to strengthen rural livelihoods, support women-led entrepreneurship and boost local economic resilience.
Governance, Organisation and Community: A Multi-Layered Tour
Over the course of two days, Dhami held several strategic meetings:
Administrative Review
At district collectorates, he chaired high-level evaluations of road connectivity, tourism preparedness, winter travel routes and ongoing development works. He directed officers to ensure speedy resolution of pending files and improve delivery of public services.
Organisational Outreach
At the BJP district office, he held internal discussions emphasising service-oriented politics, discipline and grassroots-level coordination.
Sports & Youth Interaction
Dhami also took time to meet and felicitate national-level Taekwondo medalists and even played badminton with young athletes at an indoor stadium to personally assess training facilities.
Environmental & Social Initiatives
In Baijnath, he participated in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” plantation drive and met various social and economic organisations to gather feedback for future policies.
Community Connect
Stopping by shops and local eateries, Dhami interacted with traders and residents. Sharing hot jalebis with locals in Kapkot became one of the most widely circulated visuals of the tour symbolising his approachable leadership style.
A Leadership Model Taking Shape Over 4.5 Years
Since taking office, Dhami has cultivated an image of an energetic, field-focused leader. His tenure has been marked by:
Consistent on-ground inspections
Rapid administrative action during crises
A strong push for infrastructure modernisation
Direct engagement with young people, women and remote communities
Active presence on national and international platforms, promoting Uttarakhand’s interests
Political analysts note that Dhami’s leadership is increasingly being viewed as a blend of speed, sensitivity and decisiveness attributes that have changed the perception of governance in the hill state.
“Reaching the People Is Governance”
Residents across the visited districts said the Chief Minister’s accessibility has significantly improved trust between citizens and the state administration. From remote hamlets to district headquarters, people described him as a leader who “shows up” even in extreme weather and difficult terrain.
The two-day tour, packed with public meetings, reviews, field inspections, community interactions and welfare disbursements, stands as a reflection of Dhami’s governance philosophy: stay connected, act quickly and lead from the front.
