Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and requested that the Air Force Audit Branch continue operating from Dehradun without relocation. He emphasised that the unit has been functioning smoothly for years and that Uttarakhand holds high strategic importance due to its international borders with China and Nepal, along with multiple defence establishments in the region. He urged that instructions be issued to retain the audit branch in Dehradun in the larger security interest.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the Defence Minister to allow the Public Works Department (PWD) of Uttarakhand to continue handling maintenance of the Gwaldam–Nandkesari–Tharali–Dewal–Mundoli–Wan motor road. He said the route is directly linked to the world-renowned Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra, whose next edition is proposed for 2026. Considering its religious and cultural significance, he stated that the route’s upkeep should remain with the PWD for faster action, better coordination and smoother arrangements during the pilgrimage, as well as daily local travel.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the Chief Minister that both matters would be examined positively.
