Chamoli Villagers Begin 200km March to Dehradun Over Non-Functional Hospital
Residents of over 50 villages in Chamoli's Simli area began a foot march to Dehradun demanding a 12-year-old women's hospital be made fully operational, threatening to boycott the 2027 Assembly elections.
Current Summary
Hundreds of residents from more than 50 villages in Chamoli district's Simli area began the 'Simli Base Hospital Sangharsh Samiti Pad Yatra' on Sunday, marching toward Karnaprayag and ultimately Dehradun, a journey of around 200 kilometres on foot. The protesters, mostly women, demand that a women's hospital built 12 years ago in Simli be made fully operational; it currently remains only partially functional. Devendra Singh, convener of the Sangharsh Samiti leading the agitation, said locals have struggled with the issue for a long time without resolution. Protesters raised slogans including 'no base hospital, no vote' and said they would meet Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Dehradun on October 20. Singh said the agitation would continue until the government fulfils the demand.
What We Know
- The march began Sunday from Simli, led by the Simli Base Hospital Sangharsh Samiti.
- Protesters plan to walk roughly 200 km to Dehradun and meet CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on October 20.
- The hospital was constructed 12 years ago but remains only partially operational.
- Protesters have threatened to boycott the 2027 Assembly elections if the hospital is not made fully functional.
What Is Still Unclear
- Which specific services at the hospital are currently non-functional.
- The state government's response to the march and the October 20 demand.
What Changed
- 11 Oct, 03:11 pmSignal detected: Chamoli Villagers Begin 200km March to Dehradun Over Non-Functional Hospital
Background
The hospital has been a long-standing grievance for residents of the Simli area, who say the facility has never been brought to full operational capacity despite being built over a decade ago.