Uttarakhand Politics & Governance

High Court seeks details of prisoners without filed appeals

1 January 2026

The Uttarakhand High Court directed the State Legal Services Authority to identify prisoners whose appeals had not been filed and report the reasons. The direction followed the court’s finding that one prisoner had spent 22 years in jail without an appeal being filed. The exercise is intended to help affected prisoners access legal assistance and file appeals where needed.

Key Facts

• The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 provides free legal aid, including legal representation and assistance with preparing appeal documents.

Uttarakhand Transport Corporation adds 100 buses

1 January 2026

The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation added 100 buses to its fleet on 1 January, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagging them off in Dehradun. Separately, 10 air-conditioned and two sleeper contract buses were dedicated to public service.

Key Facts

• The state-owned Uttarakhand Transport Corporation provides essential connectivity in Uttarakhand’s hilly terrain and supports inter-state travel.

Uttarakhand directs regular selection for sanctioned posts

1 January 2026

The Uttarakhand government directed departments to fill sanctioned regular posts through regular selection rather than contract or outsourcing arrangements. The order bars temporary appointments to such posts while the regular selection process is under way and directs departments to prioritise recruitment.

Uttarakhand outlines education recruitment and connectivity plans

1 January 2026

Uttarakhand’s Education Department outlined a 2026 plan to fill more than 6,000 vacancies across primary and secondary education, including teaching and other posts. It also plans to connect all schools to the Vidya Samiksha Kendra and 840 government schools to a virtual-class network.

Key Facts

• Vidya Samiksha Kendra will consolidate schools’ academic, administrative and infrastructure data.

Uttarakhand prepares to implement 184 approved PMGSY-IV roads

2 January 2026

Uttarakhand is preparing to begin work on 184 roads approved under the first phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV). The roads cover about 1,228 km, with an estimated cost of around ₹1,700 crore; tendering and construction were due to follow.

The projects are intended to connect eligible habitations with populations above 250 and upgrade some existing roads. Detailed project reports for a proposed second phase covering 203 roads, estimated at about ₹1,033 crore, have also been prepared.

Key Facts

• PMGSY’s purpose is to provide all-weather road connectivity to previously unconnected villages.

Uttarakhand revises tender rules for public construction works

4 January 2026

Uttarakhand’s Finance Department issued revised tender guidelines for public construction works under the e-procurement system. E-tendering is not mandatory for works costing up to ₹25 lakh; projects from ₹25 lakh to ₹1.5 crore use a single-stage, single-envelope process.

For projects above ₹1.5 crore, the guidelines set bidder experience and turnover requirements, with additional criteria for larger works and provisions for joint ventures. The revised rules apply to standard tender documents across different project values.

Key Facts

• The single-stage, single-envelope process invites technical and financial proposals together.

BRO nears completion of 104-metre bridge on Chamoli’s Malari Highway

4 January 2026

The Border Roads Organisation had nearly completed a 104-metre steel bridge near Syun Gadere on the Malari National Highway in Chamoli district. Part of the all-weather road project, the bridge was expected to open to traffic in 2027.

The crossing is intended to improve access for communities in the Niti Valley and facilitate movement towards forward military posts. It was not reported as open to traffic at the time of publication.

Key Facts

• The Border Roads Organisation develops and maintains border-area road networks, supporting both connectivity and strategic access.

Supreme Court seeks Uttarakhand affidavit on alleged forest-land encroachment

5 January 2026

The Supreme Court directed the Uttarakhand government to file a detailed affidavit within two weeks in a case concerning alleged encroachment on forest land. It sought site plans, details of structures and an account of the state’s actions; interim directions remain in force while the case is under consideration.

Key Facts

• The Supreme Court’s constitutional role includes safeguarding fundamental rights and resolving disputes between the Union and states.

Nitin Gadkari reviews Uttarakhand highway projects

5 January 2026

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari reviewed 25 national highway projects in Uttarakhand, covering 656 km and valued at ₹13,783 crore. He directed officials to maintain construction quality, follow ...