Dehradun: In a major push toward digital governance, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a series of new Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled services on Tuesday. The event, held at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office in Dehradun, marked the official launch of the ‘Digital Uttarakhand’ mobile app, along with multiple tech-driven initiatives aimed at making government services smarter, faster, and more accessible.
A Digital Leap: Key Launches
As part of the state’s broader “Hill to Hi-Tech” vision, five key digital platforms and services were launched:
- Digital Uttarakhand App: A unified mobile platform that enables citizens to access a range of government services from the comfort of their homes.
- 66 new government websites built on the S3WaaS platform (Secure, Scalable & Sugamya Website as a Service), ensuring safer and more efficient public access to official information.
- GIS-based real-time waste vehicle tracking system for monitoring garbage collection in urban areas.
- AI integration into CM Helpline 1905, for faster complaint resolution and auto-categorization of grievances.
- Encroachment monitoring app, allowing citizens to upload images or videos of illegal construction for swift digital investigation and action.
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CM Dhami: ‘From Mountains to Machines’
Chief Minister Dhami reiterated the state’s commitment to digital innovation:
“Uttarakhand is not just a beautiful hill state—it is on its way to becoming a technologically empowered region. Through these digital initiatives, we are ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in governance,” he said.
He added that these tools will not only ease administrative processes but also ensure better monitoring of civic services and faster redressal of public issues. The Digital Uttarakhand App, he noted, aligns perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ under the Digital India mission.
New Announcements: Tech for Tomorrow
CM Dhami also made several key announcements for the state’s technological future:
- Next-Generation Data Centre: To be set up for secure data storage and disaster recovery, enhancing resilience in governance.
- Uttarakhand AI Mission: A centre of excellence will be established to tackle future challenges with AI-backed solutions.
- Drone and Remote Sensing Application Centre: A next-gen hub to promote geospatial analysis, disaster response, and infrastructure planning.
- Dedicated IT Cadre: The government plans to build a specialized IT workforce to lead digital transformation across departments.
A Broader Vision: Digital Services for All
CM Dhami highlighted ongoing initiatives including:
- e-District portal and CM Dashboard to deliver services like e-health, online education, and land record digitization.
- Smart classrooms and e-learning platforms to improve access to quality education.
- Telemedicine and e-Sanjeevani services to connect remote populations with medical experts.
- Apni Sarkar portal, offering over 886 services online, making it easier for citizens to interact with the government.
- The state has already achieved telecom connectivity in 95% of villages, paving the way for true digital inclusion.
Stakeholder Participation
The launch event saw participation from key stakeholders, including legislators, senior bureaucrats, IT experts, and urban development officers. Notably present were:
- MLA Khajan Das
- Chief Secretary L. Fanai
- IT Secretary Nitesh Jha
- DG UCOST Prof. Durgesh Pant
- Dehradun Municipal Commissioner Namami Bansal
Others attended virtually, including Director of IT Gaurav Kumar.
The launch of the Digital Uttarakhand App and related tech services is a significant step in bridging the digital divide in a state known for its geographical challenges. With the combination of AI, remote sensing, mobile apps, and citizen engagement tools, Uttarakhand is laying the groundwork to emerge as a model of digital governance among Indian hill states.
