Dehradun, March 10: The Uttarakhand government has constructed or reconstructed 819 Panchayat buildings across the state over the past four years as part of a drive to strengthen rural infrastructure and improve grassroots governance, the Assembly was informed on Tuesday.
Replying during Question Hour in the ongoing budget session, Panchayati Raj Minister Satpal Maharaj said the work was undertaken following directions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to repair and rebuild dilapidated Panchayat offices.
According to the minister, Uttarakhand has a total of 5,867 Panchayat buildings, of which 1,134 were earlier in a dilapidated condition. The Panchayati Raj Department subsequently launched a campaign to reconstruct or renovate these structures.
“In the past four years, the department has completed the construction or reconstruction of 819 Panchayat buildings. Work on the remaining buildings is also in progress,” Maharaj told the House.
He said the initiative aims to strengthen governance at the grassroots level by ensuring that village-level administrative institutions function from proper infrastructure.
“The initiative is aimed at strengthening grassroots governance by ensuring that village-level administrative institutions function from proper infrastructure,” the minister added.
Meanwhile, the government also highlighted progress in road infrastructure, stating that more than 7,000 kilometres of roads have been made pothole-free across the state under a special drive undertaken by the Public Works Department.
During the 2025–26 financial year, the department repaired 3,134 kilometres of roads before the monsoon, while an additional 4,149.17 kilometres were made pothole-free by November 10, 2025 after the monsoon season.
Officials informed the House that Haridwar district recorded the highest road repairs, with over 313 kilometres of roads made pothole-free during the campaign.
The Assembly was also told that work on several ropeway projects connecting major pilgrimage destinations is progressing in the state to improve connectivity and promote tourism.
A ropeway from Kaddookhal to the Surkanda Devi Temple has already become operational under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Other projects under construction or in planning include ropeways from Thuligad to Purnagiri Temple in Champawat, Janki Chatti to Yamunotri Temple in Uttarkashi, Gaurikund to Kedarnath Temple, and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib.
The ongoing budget session of the Uttarakhand Assembly, which began on March 9 with the Governor’s address, is focusing on development initiatives such as strengthening infrastructure, expanding digital services, generating employment opportunities, and improving rural governance in the hill state.
