27
Uttarakhand Utsav: 25 years have passed since the formation of Uttarakhand. On this occasion, Live Times did a special interview of former CM Bhagat Singh Koshyari, in which he candidly answered about the development of the state.
18 November, 2025
Uttarakhand Utsav: It has been 25 years since Uttarakhand was formed. On this occasion the state celebrated its silver jubilee. There was a festive atmosphere in the entire state. Cultural programs were organized at various places in the state. On this occasion, the government remembered the struggles of the people, who had sacrificed everything to create Uttarakhand. on this special occasion Live Times Of Editor in Chief Dilip Singh of Uttarakhand Former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Bhagat Singh Koshyari) Did an exclusive interview. Read below in detail about the development of Uttarakhand. Bhagat Singh Koshyari What did he say and how he answered each and every question with impunity.
Dilip Singh– How do you see the 25 year journey of Uttarakhand?
Bhagat Singh Koshyari– I believe in creation as per my vision. The one who has already established in his mind that nothing has happened here, will not see anything here. One who has a positive vision will see everything. There are two main parties here – Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress. Congress has ruled here for ten years and Bharatiya Janata Party has also ruled for a little more than that. Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave special state status to Uttarakhand. Atal ji gave special industrial package to Uttarakhand. With its help and other government grants, a lot of development has taken place in Uttarakhand. In the year 2000, the per capita income of Uttarakhand was Rs 15 thousand, today it has crossed Rs 2 lakh 75 thousand. Statistics show and it is also visible on the ground that now the standard of living of the people has improved. At the time of formation of the state, there were only around 550 doctors and today there are more than 2500 doctors in the government hospital. We have five government medical colleges and two more are going to be built. Therefore we can say that Uttarakhand has developed in every field.
-Even today a large number of people migrate from Uttarakhand. Do you think there is something lacking somewhere in making policies, where work should have been done with focus?
Bhagat Singh Koshyari– Potato is a vegetable which goes with whatever it goes with. Similarly, a person from Uttarakhand is such that whether he is an IPS, a cook or a CDS of the Army, he is in demand in every field. He is in demand because of his honesty and hard work. Even in Kerala, half the people hold high positions and live outside, but this is not talked about there. Earlier there were 45 thousand kilometers of roads in Uttarakhand and today there are 70 thousand kilometers of roads, but still we cannot provide roads to every house. If we provide roads to every house, there will be more losses than gains. Only four houses will benefit but the environment will be harmed. Even after the formation of Uttarakhand state, even though we all belong to different parties, we have worked together for the development of Uttarakhand. Even today, we have such young Chief Ministers who are praised by senior opposition leaders themselves. Even today we all are working together for the progress of Uttarakhand.
Dilip Singh– Do you think that your government or the Congress government could not work at the level it should have done in the field of tourism?
– There was no stable governance in the state in the first 10 years of Uttarakhand. Congress did not pay much attention to the state due to internal differences and its own priorities. Chief Ministers kept changing even during BJP rule, hence not much progress could be made in the first 10 years, but in the last 10 years, there has been a lot of development in Uttarakhand under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. When people came to know that Prime Minister Modi had performed penance in Kedarnath in his youth, the number of devotees in Kedarnath increased. Today our Prime Minister and Chief Minister themselves are paying attention to the tourism of Uttarakhand. After 10 years from today, Uttarakhand will reach new heights in the field of tourism.
Dilip Singh– Recently many disasters occurred in Uttarakhand, do you think that we ignored sustainable development on the path of development? Is there a need to curb uncontrolled growth?
Watch the exclusive interview to hear the full conversation of Bhagat Singh Koshyari with Live Times.
