Uttarakhand News: Tehri Lake Set to Become Global Hub for Tourism and Adventure Sports: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announces Tehri Lake's expansion as a premier destination for adventure sports, supported by new ropeway plans and the Koti–Dobra route. The Tehri Lake Festival highlights industry growth, youth training, and local economic empowerment through tourism and cultural promotion.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said that Tehri Lake is poised to emerge as a major global destination for tourism and adventure sports. Addressing the grand opening of the ‘Himalayan 0.2 – The Tehri Lake Festival’, the Chief Minister announced that a ropeway connecting Koti Colony and New Tehri will be constructed to further boost tourism in the region.

The Tehri Lake Festival, which will continue until March 9, has begun with a focus on tourism, adventure sports, culture, and environmental awareness. During the event, Dhami also performed the virtual foundation stone laying of the Koti–Dobra tourism route, a project funded by the Asian Development Bank with an estimated cost of ₹318 crore and a length of about 15 kilometers.

Welcoming athletes and participants from India and abroad, the Chief Minister highlighted the unique natural and cultural heritage of Uttarakhand. He said the state’s rivers, mountains, lakes, and traditions have always attracted visitors from across the world.

"Tehri Lake, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, is rapidly emerging as a major venue for adventure sports alongside its natural beauty," he said. Various national and international water sports competitions being held here are providing athletes an opportunity to showcase their skills while placing Uttarakhand on the global sports map.

Dhami said the government’s vision is to develop Tehri into a major hub for water and adventure sports. Activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, and other adventure sports are being promoted at the lake. Modern training facilities are also being developed to help young athletes excel at national and international levels. He added that the growing sports and tourism ecosystem around Tehri Lake is generating self-employment opportunities and economic empowerment for local communities.

Focus on youth and tourism promotion

The Chief Minister emphasized that the government aims to make Tehri not only a tourist destination but also a global centre where sports, culture, and nature converge. Highlighting the state’s efforts to promote tourism and adventure sports, Dhami referred to major events such as the state’s first high-altitude marathon in Adi Kailash, the MTB Challenge in Mana, and the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy.

He also noted that more than 400 young people are currently undergoing paragliding training in Tehri, expressing confidence that these youths will help establish Uttarakhand on the global paragliding map.

Major development projects in Tehri region

The Chief Minister said projects worth more than ₹1,300 crore are currently underway for the overall development of the Tehri region. Key initiatives include the development of Tehri Lake, construction of a Ring Road, and development of Timar village as a tourism village.

Sunargaon Gram Panchayat in Bhilangna block is also being developed as a model village, while a new Anganwadi building in traditional hill architecture is under construction. Additionally, the government has established 10 compactor centres and 4,267 waste collection centres for plastic waste management across the district.

Festival to feature multiple cultural and adventure activities

The Tehri Lake Festival will feature a wide range of activities until March 9, including adventure sports competitions and cultural programmes showcasing local traditions and folk art. Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, MLAs Kishore Upadhyay, Vikram Singh Negi, Vinod Kandari and Shaktilal Shah, along with several other public representatives and officials, were present at the event. The Chief Minister was given a grand welcome upon arrival and also sought blessings from the traditional Devdoliyan (deity palanquins) during the ceremony.