NAINITAL: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interacted with residents, tourists and schoolchildren during a morning walk in Nainital on Thursday, combining a public outreach exercise with an inspection of key development works underway at the Naina Devi temple complex. The visit formed part of the ongoing Manas Khand Mission, through which the state government aims to upgrade religious infrastructure and strengthen civic amenities in major pilgrimage centres.
The Chief Minister began his morning schedule with an informal round of the Mall Road stretch, where he stopped frequently to speak with local people. Many residents discussed issues relating to civic facilities, tourism flow and road safety. Schoolchildren walking to morning assembly greeted him enthusiastically. Dhami said the interaction helped him “understand the immediate concerns of local people in a direct and natural setting”.
He added, “Nainital is among our most cherished destinations. Listening to citizens early in the morning gives clarity on what requires urgent attention.”
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During the walk, the Chief Minister also visited a local tea stall run by Bharat, a long-time vendor near the lakefront. He spent several minutes speaking to him about tourism footfall, seasonal challenges and the importance of small businesses in the district economy. Dhami said, “People like Bharat ji represent the spirit of Nainital. Their contribution to the town’s hospitality sector is invaluable.”
The Chief Minister then proceeded to the Naina Devi temple complex to review progress on the ongoing beautification and infrastructure-enhancement programme. Under the Manas Khand Mission, a sum of eleven crore rupees has been sanctioned for works intended to provide the shrine with a more organised and aesthetically aligned layout. These works include façade improvements, pathway redevelopment, drainage strengthening, lighting upgrades, safety enhancements and improved visitor-management systems.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the current pace of construction, material procurement and final design layouts. Dhami directed departments to maintain quality benchmarks and expedite tasks without compromising structural standards. He said, “The Naina Devi temple is spiritually and culturally central to our identity. The ongoing projects must reflect devotion, planning discipline and long-term sustainability.”
In addition to the temple-related works, the Chief Minister reviewed multiple development schemes linked to the wider mission. He received updates on the refurbishment of the DSA ground, measures to stabilise the Valiya Nala region, and landslide-protection initiatives underway along the Thandi Sarak corridor. Dhami stressed that these works were important for the safety of residents and visitors. “Nainital’s geography demands constant vigilance and proactive action. Departments must complete landslide-mitigation activities before seasonal vulnerabilities return,” he said.
Local administrative units presented brief status reports. The district administration assured the Chief Minister that deadlines were being monitored closely and coordination among executing agencies had been strengthened. Dhami urged officials to maintain continuous communication with residents to address on-ground concerns swiftly.
The Chief Minister also noted that the Manas Khand Mission is designed not only to upgrade religious sites but also to uplift surrounding civic infrastructure, improve mobility, support tourism and revive associated cultural circuits. He said the mission aims to “honour mythology while creating modern facilities that serve citizens and visitors alike”.
During the visit, representatives of local bodies accompanied the Chief Minister. Nainital district president Pratap Singh Bisht, District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal and Senior Superintendent of Police Manjunath TC were among those present. Officers briefed him about traffic diversion plans, crowd-management arrangements for the upcoming tourist season and maintenance protocols for the town’s lakefront.
Residents welcomed the Chief Minister’s direct engagement. One local shopkeeper said, “It is reassuring to see the Chief Minister arriving early in the morning and meeting people without any barrier. It encourages accountability and gives us confidence that concerns are being heard.”
A tourist from Delhi observed that the lakefront had shown “visible improvement” in recent months and hoped that infrastructural upgrades would continue at the same pace.
With winter visitors expected to rise in the coming weeks, the administration said it would intensify sanitation efforts, review safety gear along vulnerable slopes and ensure smooth pedestrian flow in peak-hour zones.
As the inspection concluded, the Chief Minister said the government remained committed to preserving Nainital’s heritage while developing modern amenities. “Our aim is balanced development that protects the ecological soul of Nainital. Strengthening infrastructure, improving safety and elevating cultural sites are essential parts of that vision,” he said.
The visit marked a continuation of the Chief Minister’s practice of combining morning inspections with citizen outreach in key districts. Officials said follow-up reviews would be conducted in the coming weeks to track progress and resolve pending issues.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
