- DM Bansal treks 12 km in Uttarkashi
- Helicopters airlift food to villagers
- Disaster relief on war footing
- IAS officer faces viral controversy
Dehradun District Magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal has emerged as a key figure in disaster relief efforts after trekking nearly 12 kilometers through challenging terrain to reach the disaster-affected villages of Phulet and Chamrauli in Uttarkashi district. His visit aimed to personally evaluate the crisis and ensure immediate delivery of essential aid to residents cut off in the wake of recent natural calamities.
Trekking to Phulet and Chamrauli
Bansal undertook the difficult journey to directly hear the grievances of villagers, many of whom had not received food rations for September. With around 1,500 residents in distress, the DM assured that help would reach them without delay. According to media reports, Bansal promised that relief measures, particularly food distribution, would be fast-tracked upon his return to Dehradun.
Relief Operations by Helicopter
Fulfilling his assurance, Bansal instructed Additional City Magistrate Apoorva Singh to organize the airdrop of food supplies. Helicopters began delivering essential rations to the remote villages, with Special Tehsildar Chaman Singh stationed on-site to supervise distribution. As per several media sources, Singh and Apoorva Singh coordinated in real time to ensure aid reached every household effectively.
Administration on a War Footing
District authorities have now scaled up operations on what officials described as a “war footing.” While aerial drops delivered food, ground staff worked tirelessly to distribute supplies across difficult terrain. This swift action has reportedly earned appreciation from locals, who viewed it as a responsive and empathetic approach to governance.
IAS Career and Background
Savin Bansal is a 2009-batch IAS officer from the Uttarakhand cadre who secured All India Rank 34 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2008. A native of Haryana, he completed his B.Tech from NIT Kurukshetra and later pursued a master’s degree in Risk and Disaster Management from University College London. His qualifications reflect a strong focus on disaster resilience and governance.
Before being appointed DM of Dehradun, Bansal served as the District Magistrate of Almora and Nainital, along with other postings in finance and disaster management. He is widely known for his discipline, low-profile working style, and practical approach to problem-solving.
Recent Controversy
Despite his administrative interventions, Bansal recently faced public scrutiny due to a viral video showing Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi scolding him at a disaster-hit site. The minister accused the DM of being unresponsive and arriving late, telling him to “get your act together.” Bansal, however, did not react and quietly folded his hands before leaving, an act that drew both criticism and sympathy from the public.
The on-ground response in Uttarkashi has reinforced Bansal’s reputation as a capable officer committed to people’s welfare, even as he continues to balance responsibilities and political challenges in Uttarakhand’s complex administrative environment.
The coming weeks will show whether long-term rehabilitation efforts match the urgency of immediate relief. Citizens are expecting stronger disaster management planning, improved infrastructure, and closer cooperation between state leaders and the administrative machinery.
Disclaimer
“This news story has been developed by Ingenious India based on information available in the open domain for public consumption. Ingenious India does not claim ownership of original reporting and has compiled this article using publicly accessible media sources. For any concerns regarding the information, please contact the editor at ingindia22@gmail.com.”
