Dhami says Uttarakhand border villages from Champawat to the frontier will be India’s first villages

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has called for the state’s border settlements to be viewed as “the first villages of India” rather than the country’s last villages.

In remarks shared by ANI, Dhami referred to a group of villages extending from Gudmi in Champawat to other settlements along the border. He said these communities should be recognised for their position at India’s frontier.

“All our border villages like this, which have been called the last villages until now, will be the first villages of India,” Dhami said.

Villages named by the chief minister

Dhami specifically mentioned Nagla Tarai, Melaghat, Sisaiya, Narayan Nagar, Pachoriya, Gosikuwa and Bhudai. He described the wider area as including all villages situated along the border.

The statement does not specify a new scheme, funding amount, timeline or administrative order linked to the proposal. It sets out a change in how these settlements should be described and viewed.

Champawat focus

The reference to Gudmi in Champawat places the district at the centre of the area identified in Dhami’s remarks. The chief minister linked Gudmi with the other border villages covered by his description.

The Times of India reported on 4 October 2026 that Dhami chaired the first-ever cabinet meeting in Champawat to boost border-area development. That report provides background to the administration’s focus on the district, but the statement shared by ANI does not give details of any specific decisions from that meeting.

For residents of the named settlements, the significance of the remarks lies in the emphasis on their frontier location and their role in the wider identity of Uttarakhand’s border region. Any practical changes will depend on further announcements or official measures, none of which were detailed in the statement.

Conclusion

Dhami said Uttarakhand’s border settlements, including villages from Gudmi in Champawat to the frontier, should be known as India’s first villages. He named 7 villages but did not announce a specific programme or implementation timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What did Pushkar Singh Dhami say about Uttarakhand’s border villages?

He said villages previously described as India’s last villages should instead be regarded as the country’s first villages.

Q. Which villages did Dhami name?

He named Nagla Tarai, Melaghat, Sisaiya, Narayan Nagar, Pachoriya, Gosikuwa and Bhudai.

Q. Which area did Dhami refer to?

He referred to the area from Gudmi in Champawat to all villages situated along the border.

Q. What district was specifically mentioned?

Champawat was mentioned through the reference to Gudmi.

Q. Did Dhami announce a specific scheme in the statement?

No specific scheme, funding amount, timeline or administrative order was detailed in the statement.