Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday flagged off the third ‘Shaurya’ mountaineering expedition organized by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Mukhya Sevak Sadan, his official residence in Dehradun. The challenging trek aims to conquer the 6,832-meter-high Kedar Domsh peak, located in the rugged Himalayan terrain.
Congratulating the 44-member expedition team, CM Dhami expressed confidence in their success and lauded their efforts in combining mountaineering with disaster preparedness. He emphasized that such initiatives are not only testaments to the NDRF’s resilience but also inspirational for the youth of the nation.
“Our soldiers will definitely succeed and inspire others on this path. NDRF personnel are constantly enhancing their skills while serving selflessly during every disaster in the state,” said Dhami.
Adventure Tourism: A State Priority
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the state government’s focus on positioning Uttarakhand as a global adventure tourism hub, highlighting a range of activities being promoted, including:
- Rafting, paragliding, angling, cycling, trekking
- Annual events like the Tehri Water Sports and Nayar Mahotsav
He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal involvement, including flagging off adventure events during his visit to Mukhwa, has greatly boosted the state’s tourism ambitions.
Strengthening Disaster Preparedness
Dhami detailed major strides in disaster management infrastructure, including:
- Establishment of modern training centres
- An MoU between SDRF and Indian Rescue Academy, Pune
- Approval of the Uttarakhand Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Project, worth ₹1,480 crore, in collaboration with the central government
“We are working to equip our disaster response forces with modern resources, the latest technology, and cutting-edge training,” said the Chief Minister.
NDRF’s High-Altitude Expertise Grows
Director General of NDRF, Piyush Anand, said that the ‘Shaurya’ expedition would enhance the force’s operational capability in high Himalayan altitudes, which are critical zones during natural calamities.
“This expedition will improve our ability to conduct rescue operations in harsh and remote terrains,” said Anand, adding that response times are being reduced consistently through such proactive measures.
The team’s route includes Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Chirbasa, Bhojwasa, Tapovan, and the Kirti Glacier, traversing dangerous glacial paths and inaccessible mountain tracks before scaling Kedar Domsh.
With this initiative, Uttarakhand continues to assert its dual commitment to eco-tourism and disaster resilience, blending adventure with preparedness under the stewardship of Chief Minister Dhami and with strong support from Prime Minister Modi.