Adibadri (Chamoli): In a glaring example of administrative neglect, the Adibadri Tehsil, which serves 70 revenue villages under the Gairsain tehsil jurisdiction, has been functioning from just two small rooms of a Patwari Chowki for the past 11 years. The tehsil continues to operate in extremely poor conditions without a dedicated building or adequate staff, causing significant hardship to local residents.
A recent investigation revealed that the tehsil lacks basic infrastructure and manpower. There is no permanent Tehsildar or Naib Tehsildar posted at Adibadri. The Nazir recently appointed to the tehsil has also been attached to the Gairsain SDM office. As a result, the entire administrative work of the tehsil is currently being managed single-handedly by one female employee.
The administrative charge of the Adibadri Tehsil is fragmented among multiple officers. The SDM charge lies with Gairsain, the Tehsildar charge with Karnprayag, and the Naib Tehsildar charge with Tharali. This scattered responsibility has severely affected the efficiency of day-to-day governance.
Social activist Vijayesh Navani strongly criticized the government and administration for its apathy. “Due to the acute shortage of staff, people are unable to get essential certificates and documents on time. Residents have to face immense difficulties and often travel long distances to other tehsils for routine work,” he said.
Many villagers expressed their frustration over the prolonged delay in setting up a proper tehsil office. Basic services such as issuing caste certificates, income certificates, domicile certificates, land records, and mutation of property have become major challenges. People complain that they are forced to visit multiple offices, leading to wastage of time and money.
Karnprayag MLA Anil Nautiyal acknowledged the long-standing issue and informed that a proposal for the construction of a new tehsil building has been sent for approval. “A proposal worth approximately Rs 10 crore has been forwarded to the government for the construction of a proper Adibadri Tehsil building. Once approval is received, construction work will begin immediately,” Nautiyal said.
He further added that the process of recruiting and posting necessary staff for the tehsil is also underway at the government level. “We are continuously following up with the higher authorities to resolve the staff shortage at the earliest,” the MLA assured.
Local residents have welcomed the announcement but are demanding immediate interim arrangements. They have urged the district administration to provide additional temporary staff and improve basic facilities at the existing Patwari Chowki until the new building is constructed.
The demand for a full-fledged tehsil at Adibadri has been pending for many years. The area holds historical and religious significance due to its proximity to the ancient Adibadri temple. Despite being an important region in the mountainous terrain of Chamoli district, the lack of proper administrative infrastructure has hindered its development.
The current situation has also affected revenue collection and land-related disputes. Many cases remain pending due to insufficient manpower and poor record-keeping facilities in the cramped two-room office.
Officials in the district administration, when contacted, admitted that the tehsil is facing severe constraints. They stated that efforts are being made at the highest level to address the issue and provide better facilities to the people of Adibadri.
The people of Adibadri now hope that the government will fulfill its promises quickly and establish a modern tehsil office equipped with adequate staff and facilities. Until then, the daily struggle of residents for basic administrative services continues in this remote part of Uttarakhand.
