Over INR 1,300 cr earmarked for Tehri region development: CM Dhami
Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival inaugration
The Uttrakhand Chief Minister inaugurated Tehri Lake Festival, which is aimed at positioning the state on the global adventure sports map. Region specific developments include Tehri Lake enhancements, the construction of a ring road, and the development of Timad as a tourism village.
The opening of the Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival was held at Tehri Lake, with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurating the event and reiterating the government’s vision of developing Tehri into a global hub for tourism and adventure sports.
“Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival” is District Tehri Garhwal’s (Uttarakhand) flagship celebration of adventure, culture and creativity, at Tehri Lake. The multi-day festival is set to bring together athletes, artists, performers and youth from across India for competitions, live performances and cultural showcases. Designed to spotlight regional talent and promote sustainable tourism, Himalayan O₂ celebrates the spirit and energy of the Himalayas.
During the festival Chief minister expressed confidence that the scenic Tehri Lake will soon emerge as a leading international destination for tourism and adventure sports, culture, and nature, while creating new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship for local communities.
Highlighting the significance of the festival, Chief Minister Dami said, “The initiative brings together tourism, sports, environmental awareness, and local culture on a single platform. Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Tehri Lake is not only a remarkable example of natural beauty but is also rapidly emerging as a major venue for adventure sports,” he said, adding that this marks the third international-level event hosted at the lake in the past two months.
As part of the government’s broader development vision for Tehri, the Chief Minister highlighted that projects worth over INR 1,300 crore are currently underway in the region. These include the development of Tehri Lake, the construction of a ring road, and the development of Timad village as a tourism village.
CM Dhami noted that the festival is helping position Uttarakhand on the global adventure sports map, with activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving gaining increasing popularity. Modern training facilities are also being developed to help young athletes from the state compete successfully at national and international levels.
On the occasion, he also announced that the Koti Colony–New Tehri Ropeway will be constructed, further enhancing tourism infrastructure in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a deep emotional connection with Uttarakhand and has consistently encouraged initiatives that strengthen tourism and development in the state. He also highlighted other sporting events promoted by the state, including the high-altitude marathon at Adi Kailash and the MTB Challenge in Mana Village.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal said, “The festival is connecting different parts of the district and giving a new direction to regional development.” Tehri MP Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah noted that collective efforts are essential for the overall development of Tehri and for enhancing its national and international recognition.
Also present at the event were MLAs Kishore Upadhyay, Vikram Singh Negi, Vinod Kandari, Shakti Lal Shah, OBC Commission Chairman Sanjay Negi, District Panchayat President Ishita Sajwan, District Magistrate Nitika Khandelwal, and other officials, along with athletes, local residents, and tourists in large numbers.
