Bhararisain

History

The wider Gairsain region has been an important location in the political debate over the capital of Uttarakhand.The demand for a capital in the hill region became particularly prominent during the Uttarakhand Statehood Movement. Gairsain was proposed as the capital of the proposed hill state because of its geographical position between the Garhwal and Kumaon regions.The Ramashankar Kaushik Committee, constituted in 1994, identified Gairsain as a suitable location for the capital of the proposed Uttarakhand state.

After Uttarakhand was created as a separate state from Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000, Dehradun became the temporary capital. V. N. Dixit commission, set up to decide the location of a permanent capital, rejected Gairsain as too prone to earthquakes. In 2012, due to local demands, then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Vijay Bahuguna held cabinet meetings in Gairsain and started construction of an assembly building in Gairsain.

Legislative Assembly complex

Bhararisain became particularly significant following the construction of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly complex. In 2012, then Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna held a cabinet meeting in Gairsain and announced plans for an Assembly building in the area. The foundation stone for the building was laid in January 2013.

Assembly sessions have subsequently been held at the Bhararisain complex.

In summer, officials travel from Dehradun along with documents to Gairsain for the assembly session. Complex is kept closed during the snowy winters.

Summer capital

On 4 March 2020, the Uttarakhand government announced that Gairsain would become the Summer capital of Uttarakhand. The declaration received the Governor's assent in June 2020.The distinction between Gairsain and Bhararisain is important. Gairsain is the town and the administrative/political area designated as the summer capital, while Bhararisain is the nearby settlement where the Legislative Assembly complex is located. Official documents frequently use the combined expression Bhararisain (Gairsain).

The Government of Uttarakhand currently lists Gairsain as the state's summer capital.

Political significance

Bhararisain has acquired political significance because of its association with the Gairsain capital movement and the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

Supporters of Gairsain as the permanent capital have argued that the administrative centre of a predominantly mountainous state should be located in the hills. Gairsain's position between the Garhwal and Kumaon regions has also been cited as an argument for its importance.

Although Gairsain was declared the summer capital in 2020, the question of making it the permanent capital has continued to be debated.

Transport

Bhararisain is primarily connected by road. The settlement is accessible from Gairsain through the road network connecting the Gairsain area with Chamoli district and the adjoining Kumaon region. National Highway 109 passes through the Gairsain area.

Bhararisain does not have a railway station. The nearest railway connection is at Ramnagar, approximately 80 km away, according to a government environmental-clearance document for a project at Bhararisain. Kathgodam railway station is another major railway connection in the wider region.

Bhararisain does not have a commercial airport. Jolly Grant Airport, near Dehradun, is approximately 105 km from Bhararisain. Gauchar Airport (Gauchar airstrip), near Gauchar, is considerably closer but is primarily an airstrip and does not provide regular scheduled commercial air services.

Road transport is the principal means of access because of the area's mountainous terrain. The location is considerably distant from Dehradun.

Administration

Bhararisain falls within Gairsain tehsil of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.

The wider area includes the town of Gairsain and surrounding rural settlements. Bhararisain should not be treated as synonymous with Gairsain town, despite the two names frequently being used together in official and media references.