Uttarakhand UIIDB land row 2026: the 7,000 bigha claim and the facts

Congress says Uttarakhand plans to lease 7,000 bighas of government land to private firms. The government says its investment board holds about 45 acres. Here is what each side said.

What happened

The allegation. On 13 September 2026, Amar Ujala reported that the state Congress had accused the Dhami government of leasing about 7,000 bighas of valuable government land to private and corporate firms for 90 years. The charge was made by state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal, Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya, chargesheet committee chair Karan Mahra and committee member Manoj Rawat. They said the land was being handled through the Uttarakhand Infrastructure and Investment Development Board (UIIDB).

What Congress pointed to. Amar Ujala reported three main complaints. Congress said land meant for commercial use was being valued at agricultural circle rates, which would cost the state revenue. It said ordinary people face a 250 square metre limit on buying land while companies could get thousands of bighas. And it cited a tourism zone of 142 acres given on a 15-year term for a concession fee of ₹1 crore a year. The report did not say where that land is.

The government's reply. Principal Secretary (Planning) R. Meenakshi Sundaram, who is also the UIIDB's managing director, rejected the claim, Garhwal Post reported. He said the board "has neither received 7,000 bighas of land nor is it making any effort to acquire such a huge tract." ETV Bharat reported that he put the board's land bank at about 45 acres, of which only 10 to 12 acres had reached a preliminary tender stage. ThePrint Hindi also reported the 45 acre figure. BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt said the board has only 18 hectares, which is roughly the same area.

The three tenders. According to ETV Bharat, the board has floated three tenders so far. Two are on 60-year concessions: the Alaknanda guest house of the tourism department in Haridwar and a PWD guest house in Rishikesh. The third is land in Nainital on a 90-year lease model. Garhwal Post reported that none of the three bids had been finalised. Officials said the land stays with the government and comes back to it when the term ends.

Why the board exists. ETV Bharat reported that a committee on better use of government land was formed in 2022, and the UIIDB Act was passed by the Assembly in 2023. ThePrint Hindi reported that the aim is to find unused government land for investment in tourism, health, education and hospitality. Sundaram said similar boards work in Punjab and Gujarat.

Others joined in. On 15 September 2026, Janswar reported that the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal held a protest in Dehradun. It demanded that the board be dissolved and that any auction of the land be stopped.

Where the sources differ. Congress spoke of 90-year leases. ThePrint Hindi quoted Sundaram as saying the term is 60 years, while ETV Bharat said the Nainital land is on a 90-year model. Reports also convert 7,000 bighas to different areas in acres and hectares, because a bigha is not the same size everywhere. We have not seen a public list of the land parcels from either side. ETV Bharat reported that Congress maintained the government could aim for up to 7,000 bighas by 2047.

What it means for buyers and landowners in Dehradun

This section is our view.

This is about government land, not yours. Nothing in these reports changes how private land is bought, sold or registered in Dehradun. Stamp duty, circle rates and the land law limits stay as they were.

Be careful with "government land coming up" pitches. Rows like this give brokers a new story. If someone says a hotel, hospital or resort is coming up on government land next to a plot, ask for the tender or allotment order. Only three tenders were reported, in Haridwar, Rishikesh and Nainital. Do not pay extra for a Dehradun plot on a rumour.

Never buy government land from a private seller. Leases from the board are for set terms and the land returns to the state. A person cannot sell you government land, a lease on it, or a promise of one. Check the khatauni and the khasra at the tehsil before you pay anything. Our post on buying land in Dehradun from outside the state explains the 250 square metre rule that Congress referred to.

Watch what the board actually signs. If big hospitality or health projects do come up, nearby rents and land prices could move, as they have around other large investments. Our post on Investors Summit MoUs and how many have grounded shows how slowly announced projects can turn into real ones.

If you are looking at land outside the city, browse property in Uttarakhand on ILA Infra.

Questions people ask

Has Uttarakhand given 7,000 bighas of land to private companies?

The government denies it. Principal Secretary (Planning) R. Meenakshi Sundaram said the UIIDB has about 45 acres and no plan to acquire 7,000 bighas. Congress maintains its charge, and we have not seen documents from either side listing the land.

What is the UIIDB?

It is the Uttarakhand Infrastructure and Investment Development Board, set up under a 2023 Act. It identifies unused government land and offers it to investors on long concessions or leases, mainly for tourism, health, education and hospitality.

Does this affect property registration in Dehradun?

No. The reports concern government land handled by the board. Rules for buying and registering private property did not change.

Sources

Buying or selling property in Dehradun and unsure about the paperwork? Call Neeraj Thapa on +91 98320 03494.

How we write these: the ILA Infra team reads the reports listed under Sources and links every one, so you can check each figure yourself. The section on what it means for buyers is our own view, not advice.