There should be no “off-season” in Uttarakhand, tourism should flourish in every season: Modi

Uttarkashi, March 6, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the trek and bike rally in Harsil, Uttarakhand, and later participated in the Winter Tourism Program. He also offered prayers at Mukhwa, the winter abode of Goddess Ganga.

Addressing the public, he expressed deep sorrow over the incident in Mana village and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He emphasized that the solidarity of the nation has provided great strength to the affected families.

The Prime Minister stated, “The land of Uttarakhand, known as Devbhoomi, is blessed with spiritual energy and countless sacred sites, including the Char Dham.” He highlighted that this region serves as the winter residence of the life-giving Goddess Ganga. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit again and meet the people and their families, calling it a blessing.

PM Modi emphasized that it is by the grace of Goddess Ganga that he has had the privilege of serving Uttarakhand for decades. He recalled his statement in Kashi, saying, “Maa Ganga has called me,” and recently, he has felt that “Maa Ganga has now accepted me as her own.”

Recalling his visit to Baba Kedarnath, where he had declared, “This decade will be the decade of Uttarakhand,” he asserted that this vision is gradually becoming a reality with the blessings of Baba Kedarnath. New pathways for Uttarakhand’s progress are opening up, fulfilling the aspirations of the state’s formation.

He described winter tourism as a significant step in harnessing Uttarakhand’s economic potential. He congratulated the Uttarakhand government on this innovative initiative and extended his best wishes for the state’s development.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to diversify tourism and make it a year-round activity. He pointed out that currently, tourism in the mountains is seasonal, peaking in March, April, May, and June, but experiencing a sharp decline afterward. This imbalance leads to economic stagnation for a large part of the year and poses environmental challenges.

“Visiting Uttarakhand during winter offers a true glimpse of Devbhoomi’s divine aura,” he said, emphasizing adventure activities like trekking and skiing. He also highlighted the religious significance of winter visits to Uttarakhand, as unique rituals take place at several sacred sites during this season.

Modi expressed confidence that the state government’s vision of year-round tourism will provide people with divine experiences and create employment opportunities for locals, especially the youth. He assured that the central and state governments are working together to make Uttarakhand a developed state.

Highlighting major infrastructure developments over the past decade, he mentioned the Char Dham All-Weather Road, modern expressways, and expanded railway, air, and helicopter services in the state. He also announced that the central cabinet recently approved the Kedarnath Ropeway and Hemkund Ropeway projects, which will significantly reduce travel time and enhance accessibility, particularly for the elderly and children.

He stated that thousands of crores of rupees are being invested in these ropeway projects, benefiting both Uttarakhand and the entire nation. He also focused on developing eco-lodges, convention centers, and heliport infrastructure in places like Timmer-Sain Mahadev, Mana village, and Jadung village.

Modi announced efforts to resettle villages like Mana and Jadung, which had been abandoned since 1962. As a result, the number of tourists visiting Uttarakhand has significantly increased over the past decade—from 1.8 million pilgrims per year before 2014 to nearly 5 million annually now.

The Prime Minister revealed that this year’s budget includes the development of 50 tourist destinations, with hotels being granted infrastructure status. This initiative aims to enhance tourist facilities and boost local employment.

Emphasizing efforts to promote tourism in border areas, he stated that villages once termed the “last villages” of India are now being called the “first villages.” He highlighted the Vibrant Village Program, which includes 10 villages in this region. Efforts are underway to resettle Nelong and Jadung villages, and he flagged off a bike rally to Jadung as part of this initiative.

To further promote homestays, Modi announced financial benefits under the Mudra Scheme. He praised the Uttarakhand government’s focus on expanding homestays in previously underdeveloped villages, boosting tourism and local incomes.

Addressing the youth, Modi highlighted the unique winter experience in Uttarakhand, where the mountains bask in sunlight while much of the country remains covered in fog. He suggested the concept of “Gham Tapo Tourism” (Sunlight Tourism) in Garhwali, encouraging people across India to visit Uttarakhand in winter.

He urged the corporate sector to host meetings, conferences, and exhibitions in the state, emphasizing the vast potential of Uttarakhand’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector.

Additionally, he promoted Uttarakhand as a rejuvenation destination through yoga and Ayurveda. He appealed to universities, private schools, and colleges to consider winter trips to Uttarakhand.

Highlighting the “wedding economy” worth thousands of crores, Modi reiterated his “Wed in India” appeal, encouraging couples to choose Uttarakhand as a wedding destination during winter.

He also called on the Indian film industry to take advantage of Uttarakhand’s designation as the “Most Film-Friendly State.” With rapid infrastructure development, Uttarakhand is becoming an ideal winter film-shooting location.

Citing global examples of popular winter tourism destinations, he urged tourism stakeholders in Uttarakhand, including hotels and resorts, to study successful models from other countries. He called on the state government to implement key learnings from such studies.

Modi emphasized the importance of promoting local traditions, music, dance, and cuisine. He suggested developing Uttarakhand’s hot springs into wellness spas and organizing winter yoga retreats in its tranquil, snow-covered landscapes.

He urged yoga gurus to conduct annual yoga camps in Uttarakhand and proposed introducing exclusive winter wildlife safaris to establish a unique identity for the region.

Highlighting the need for both infrastructure development and awareness, Modi called upon young content creators to play a crucial role in promoting Uttarakhand’s winter tourism. He emphasized their contribution to the tourism industry by exploring new destinations and sharing their experiences with the public.

The Prime Minister suggested that the Uttarakhand government organize a short-film competition for content creators to showcase the state’s tourism potential.

Concluding his address, Modi expressed confidence that the region will witness rapid growth in the coming years and congratulated Uttarakhand for its year-round tourism campaign. The event was attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta, and other dignitaries. (Source: PIB)