Ahead of polls, migration of pahadis becomes talking point in Uttarakhand

Several villages in Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal district have become ghost towns. With assembly polls drawing closer, the issue of migration has become a talking point in the state.

Near a decade-long battle to carve out Uttarakhand as 27th state of India succeeded on November 9, 2000. Many sacrifices were made during this agitation demanding a separate state from Uttar Pradesh. The formation of Uttarakhand was aimed to bring development and prosperity in the hilly terrain. However, over the decades, the hills only witnessed huge migration towards the plains, which later became one of the biggest political issues in Uttarakhand.

During a rally in Uttarakhand on December 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talked about efforts taken by his government to put the hill state on the fast-track of development. With assembly elections drawing closer, the issue of migration has become a talking point.