The second edition of TOI’s flagship event, TOI Dialogues, took place on Tuesday in Dehradun, spotlighting Uttarakhand’s growth story. The event focused on the state’s socio-economic development, sporting excellence, entrepreneurial aspirations, and infrastructure advancements.
The first panel, moderated by renowned RJ Raunac, addressed several crucial topics.
Sunil Alagh, economist and founder of SKA Advisors Pvt Ltd, said, “Internally, investing in infrastructure, particularly roads, is crucial. It’s important to focus on controlling corruption and ensuring efficient use of resources. Additionally, fostering private-public partnerships is essential, especially in the tourism sector, where such collaborations can significantly enhance development and growth.”
Dr Pankaj K Pandey, IAS, Secretary of PWD, explained, “In the past, our National Highways were typically single lanes, but today we have made the decision to expand them to double and even four lanes. Similarly, we are upgrading our State Highways from single to double lanes. For other key roads that connect important locations, such as cities or districts, we are planning expansions based on traffic analysis and research inputs. We are also prioritizing road safety by installing crash barriers on both National and State Highways. Throughout this process, we are carefully considering ecological factors and the terrain, such as mountainous regions, to ensure a balanced approach.”
On the topic of skill development, Sunil Alagh added: “Ultimately, what really needs to change are attitudes and the approach to skill development in various sectors. The progress each state makes in skill development is crucial for overall growth and success.”
Addressing the expansion of credit access for rural entrepreneurs and farmers, Govinda Rajulu Chintala, NABARD chairman, remarked, “Uttarakhand holds tremendous potential, with its ecosystem being quite similar to the Alps of Switzerland. However, the Alps have developed differently, with effective environmental protection and avalanche control. Climate change is a pressing issue for both Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, affecting rainfall patterns and agriculture.”
He further added, “Agriculture is crucial in Uttarakhand, with 60% of the population dependent on the primary sector. This sector requires a resilient ecosystem to adapt to climate change. NABARD has various schemes to address these challenges, including water management, watershed development, landslide and erosion control, and integrated farming systems. With around 1 lakh people in the state, protecting livelihoods is essential, and NABARD is working to improve conditions through its initiatives.”
Moderator Raunac also inquired about balancing economic development with cultural and environmental preservation. Radhika Jha, IAS, Secretary of Rural Development, responded, “Among all the states, Uttarakhand is uniquely positioned to be a leader in ecological sustainability, prioritizing environmental care and green initiatives. In terms of rural development, our focus extends beyond infrastructure—such as housing, bridge, and road development—to enhancing the livelihoods of our people. We have over 6 lakh women involved in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), spread across 68,000 groups engaged in diverse livelihood activities, including organic farming, local product branding, and promoting our unique arts.”
“In our sustainability efforts, particularly in rural development, we ensure that ecological balance is maintained. We strive to protect local communities from adverse effects while undertaking infrastructural and hydropower projects,” she added.
The first panel, moderated by renowned RJ Raunac, addressed several crucial topics.
Sunil Alagh, economist and founder of SKA Advisors Pvt Ltd, said, “Internally, investing in infrastructure, particularly roads, is crucial. It’s important to focus on controlling corruption and ensuring efficient use of resources. Additionally, fostering private-public partnerships is essential, especially in the tourism sector, where such collaborations can significantly enhance development and growth.”
Dr Pankaj K Pandey, IAS, Secretary of PWD, explained, “In the past, our National Highways were typically single lanes, but today we have made the decision to expand them to double and even four lanes. Similarly, we are upgrading our State Highways from single to double lanes. For other key roads that connect important locations, such as cities or districts, we are planning expansions based on traffic analysis and research inputs. We are also prioritizing road safety by installing crash barriers on both National and State Highways. Throughout this process, we are carefully considering ecological factors and the terrain, such as mountainous regions, to ensure a balanced approach.”
On the topic of skill development, Sunil Alagh added: “Ultimately, what really needs to change are attitudes and the approach to skill development in various sectors. The progress each state makes in skill development is crucial for overall growth and success.”
Addressing the expansion of credit access for rural entrepreneurs and farmers, Govinda Rajulu Chintala, NABARD chairman, remarked, “Uttarakhand holds tremendous potential, with its ecosystem being quite similar to the Alps of Switzerland. However, the Alps have developed differently, with effective environmental protection and avalanche control. Climate change is a pressing issue for both Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, affecting rainfall patterns and agriculture.”
He further added, “Agriculture is crucial in Uttarakhand, with 60% of the population dependent on the primary sector. This sector requires a resilient ecosystem to adapt to climate change. NABARD has various schemes to address these challenges, including water management, watershed development, landslide and erosion control, and integrated farming systems. With around 1 lakh people in the state, protecting livelihoods is essential, and NABARD is working to improve conditions through its initiatives.”
Moderator Raunac also inquired about balancing economic development with cultural and environmental preservation. Radhika Jha, IAS, Secretary of Rural Development, responded, “Among all the states, Uttarakhand is uniquely positioned to be a leader in ecological sustainability, prioritizing environmental care and green initiatives. In terms of rural development, our focus extends beyond infrastructure—such as housing, bridge, and road development—to enhancing the livelihoods of our people. We have over 6 lakh women involved in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), spread across 68,000 groups engaged in diverse livelihood activities, including organic farming, local product branding, and promoting our unique arts.”
“In our sustainability efforts, particularly in rural development, we ensure that ecological balance is maintained. We strive to protect local communities from adverse effects while undertaking infrastructural and hydropower projects,” she added.
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