Dehradun, Uttarakhand: In a remarkable display of leadership and ground-level governance, District Magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal trekked nearly 12 kilometers on foot through rugged terrain to reach the disaster-hit villages of Phulet and Chamrauli in Uttarkashi district. His visit aimed to directly assess the situation and hear grievances from villagers left stranded after recent natural calamities.
Villagers Face Food Shortages; DM Promises Swift Action
Phulet and Chamrauli, with a combined population of approximately 1,500 residents, had not received food rations for the month of September, leaving many families in distress.
Upon hearing their concerns, DM Bansal assured immediate action, promising that essential supplies would be dispatched without delay upon his return to the district headquarters.
Relief Airdropped by Helicopter
Following his return, the DM instructed Additional City Magistrate Apoorva Singh to organize the airlift of food rations to the affected areas.
Under the DM’s orders –
Relief materials are now being transported by helicopter to the remote villages.
Special Tehsildar Chaman Singh, who has been deployed on-site, is supervising the receipt and distribution of the supplies.
Coordination between Singh and Additional City Magistrate Apoorva Singh is being maintained in real-time to ensure smooth and fast delivery.
Relief Efforts on a ‘War Footing’
District authorities are now operating at war footing to ensure no further delay in relief distribution. While helicopters carry essential supplies, ground staff is working tirelessly to make sure every household receives aid.
DM Bansal’s hands-on approach has drawn appreciation from locals and serves as a model of responsive and empathetic administration in times of crisis.
Savin Bansal: IAS Background and UPSC Journey
- Name: Savin Bansal
- UPSC Rank: 34th Rank in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2008
- Batch: 2009
- Cadre: Uttarakhand
- Home State: Haryana
- Current Post (2025): District Magistrate (DM), Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Savin Bansal is a 2009-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who secured AIR 34 in his second attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Exam. He hails from Haryana and is well known in administrative circles for his discipline, humility, and integrity.
Educational Qualifications
- B.Tech in Engineering: National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra
- Master’s Degree in Risk and Disaster Management: University College London (UCL), UK
Bansal is academically accomplished and has also pursued specialized education abroad, showcasing a deep interest in disaster resilience and sustainable governance.
Key Postings Held
Before taking charge as DM of Dehradun, Savin Bansal served in various key administrative roles across Uttarakhand–
- District Magistrate, Almora
- District Magistrate, Nainital
Other assignments in finance and disaster management departments
Why He’s in the News
The latest controversy involves a viral video where Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi is seen publicly scolding DM Bansal during a field visit in a disaster-hit area. The minister accused the DM of not responding to calls and arriving late, telling him sternly to “get your act together.” The DM did not retaliate and quietly folded his hands and left, earning both criticism and sympathy from the public.
Past Headlines
Praised for humility: Once, his wife stood in a public hospital queue like any ordinary citizen, refusing VIP treatment, which won public praise.
Highly respected: Locals and officials often appreciate his low-profile yet efficient working style.
Media-shy: Known for staying away from controversies and media limelight unless his work is involved.
Technically Qualified, Ethically Grounded, Administratively Sound
Mr Bansal represents the new generation of IAS officers – technically qualified, ethically grounded, and administratively sound. While the recent incident with the minister has put him under public scrutiny, it has also highlighted his composed demeanor and professional restraint.
As Dehradun’s DM, his performance continues to be closely watched by the media and public alike.
