Dehradun, April 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for year-round tourism in Uttarakhand, saying the state’s economy will benefit only when travel activity continues in every season, not just during summer months. Speaking at the inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor in Dehradun, he highlighted Uttarakhand’s rising appeal for winter tourism, winter sports and destination weddings, while also urging people to keep Devbhoomi clean and well-preserved.
Modi said the state’s natural beauty and spiritual significance must be protected if tourism is to remain sustainable in the long run. He stressed that cleanliness, ecological balance and better infrastructure are essential to preserve Uttarakhand’s identity as a pilgrimage and leisure destination.
Tourism beyond the summer season
The Prime Minister said 12-month tourism is vital for Uttarakhand’s economy because it creates steady income for people working in hospitality, transport and other local services. He pointed to the growing interest in winter travel and said the state is now being seen not only as a pilgrimage centre but also as a destination for leisure, adventure and celebrations.
Referring to his 2023 visit to Kailash and Om Parvat, Modi said the number of devotees has risen sharply since then. He noted that while only a few hundred people made the journey in winter earlier, more than 40,000 pilgrims undertook the trip in 2025, generating livelihood opportunities for residents in remote areas.
Economic corridor to expand opportunity
Modi said the Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor will improve connectivity and help attract more visitors to the hill state. Better road access, he said, will not only make travel easier but also increase spending by tourists, directly benefiting local businesses, homestays, drivers and vendors.
He also mentioned the upcoming Kumbh Mela, saying a large number of devotees are expected to travel to Uttarakhand for religious occasions in the coming months. According to him, the state must be prepared to handle this increase in footfall without losing its natural charm or spiritual atmosphere.
Preserving Devbhoomi’s identity
The Prime Minister underlined that Uttarakhand’s long-term prosperity depends on balancing development with conservation. He said the state’s mountains, rivers and pilgrimage sites are not just assets for tourism, but part of its cultural and spiritual identity.
By promoting winter tourism, destination weddings and continuous pilgrim movement, Modi said Uttarakhand can reduce its dependence on seasonal travel and create a more stable economic cycle. The challenge, he added, is to ensure that growth does not come at the cost of cleanliness, ecology or the sanctity of Devbhoomi.
