Champawat, October 2026: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several development projects, including a badminton court at the Mini Stadium in Banbasa, during his one-day visit to Champawat district on Sunday.
The Chief Minister also distributed sports kits and prizes to players, encouraging them to pursue excellence in sports and wishing them a bright future. He urged young people to make sports, discipline and a healthy lifestyle an integral part of their daily routines and stay away from substance abuse.
Dhami said honouring talented sportspersons was a recognition of their hard work and dedication. Sports kits, he added, would motivate players to improve their performance during training and competitions. He emphasised that healthy and energetic young people form the foundation of a strong society and a developed nation.
The Chief Minister reiterated the state government's commitment to the overall development of Champawat, stating that achieving the goal of an ‘Adarsh Champawat’ was an important step towards realising the vision of an ‘Adarsh Uttarakhand’. Special attention was being given to sports, healthcare, tourism and infrastructure to achieve this objective.
Highlighting initiatives to strengthen sports infrastructure, Dhami said the Women's Sports College being developed in Lohaghat at an estimated cost of ₹256.97 crore would provide better opportunities for women athletes in the state. The institution is expected to encourage emerging sporting talent and increase women's participation in sports.
On healthcare, the Chief Minister said arrangements had been made to provide specialist medical services, regular health check-ups and free medicines in the region. A 50-bed critical care block, being constructed in the district at a cost of ₹20 crore, would also play an important role in improving treatment facilities for critically ill patients.
Dhami further said a modern Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), being developed in Tanakpur at an estimated cost of ₹237.74 crore, would strengthen transportation and connectivity in the region. Development works associated with Maa Purnagiri Dham and the Sharda Corridor would promote religious tourism while creating new opportunities for local employment and economic activity.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for four development works at the freedom fighter Captain Karam Chand Stadium in Chuna Bhatta, Banbasa.
The projects include the construction of a spectator gallery at a cost of ₹28 lakh, an approach road costing ₹20 lakh and a boundary wall costing another ₹20 lakh. In addition, a badminton hall will be constructed at a cost of ₹150.20 lakh under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
These projects are expected to expand the stadium's sporting facilities and provide athletes with improved infrastructure for training and practice.
On the occasion, Dhami presented awards to Sadhana, who secured first place in the girls' category, and Jatin Chand, who topped the boys' category.
The Chief Minister also flagged off three Tata Yodha vehicles provided to the Haldwani and Champawat Forest Divisions under the CSR initiative of NHPC Limited's Tanakpur Power Station, a Government of India enterprise.
Dhami said the vehicles would facilitate the functioning of the Forest Department and strengthen activities related to forest management and environmental conservation.
He appealed to players, young people and residents to make sports, health, discipline and positivity essential parts of their lives. He added that public participation was crucial for effective implementation of development schemes and for achieving the goal of transforming Champawat into a model district.
Several public representatives and officials attended the programme, including Subhash Bagoli, Hema Joshi, Manoj Kalakoti, Kiran Devi, ex-servicemen's organisation president Bhani Chand, Tanakpur MLA representative Deepak Rajwar and Banbasa Municipal Council chairperson Rekha Devi.
Champawat District Magistrate Manish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pramod Kumar and NHPC Tanakpur Power Station head Rishi Ranjan Arya were also present, along with officials from various departments, public representatives, women from self-help groups, sportspersons and a large number of local residents.
