Storm Over George Everest Tourism Project: Congress Cries Foul, BJP and CM Defend Deal with Balkrishna Firm

Dehradun | September 13, 2025 — A storm has erupted in Uttarakhand politics over a tourism project linked to Acharya Balkrishna, the close aide of yoga guru Baba Ramdev and co-founder of Patanjali Ayurved. The Congress party has demanded a high-level probe into the award of the project, raising questions about transparency, fairness, and possible conflict of interest. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), however, insist that the process was above board and followed all rules.

The project in question is the George Everest Estate development near Mussoorie, one of the most scenic and historically important tourist spots in Uttarakhand. Spread over nearly 142 acres, the estate is named after Sir George Everest, the Surveyor General of India during the British era, after whom the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, was named. The estate is popular with both Indian and foreign tourists for its panoramic views of the Doon Valley and snow-covered Himalayan ranges.

How the project began

In December 2022, Uttarakhand’s tourism department invited tenders to develop and manage the George Everest Estate. The idea was to promote adventure tourism and cultural activities, and to improve visitor facilities. By this time, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had already invested about ₹23 crore to build infrastructure such as pathways, a café, wooden huts, a museum, an observatory, and even a helipad.

The contract was to be given on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Under this arrangement, the government would retain full ownership of the land and assets, but the winning bidder would be responsible for operations, management, and further investment for 15 years.

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Who won the bid

In July 2023, the contract was awarded to Rajas Aero Sports and Adventures Pvt Ltd, a relatively small firm before the project. The agreed concession fee was ₹1 crore per year, excluding GST, with a provision of a 3% increase every year. On paper, the deal appeared straightforward: the government would earn revenue without giving up ownership, while the private partner would invest and expand tourism.

But the political storm began soon after media reports suggested that all three companies that submitted bids had links to one man: Acharya Balkrishna.

Congress raises red flags

The Congress party, led by Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya, has alleged that the tender was not truly competitive. Their claims are based on the following points:

1. Common Shareholding: According to an investigation by The Indian Express, Acharya Balkrishna was a shareholder in all three bidding firms. These were Rajas Aero Sports and Adventures (the winner), Bharuwa Agri Science Pvt Ltd, and Prakriti Organics India Pvt Ltd.
2. Control and Stakes:
   • In the two losing companies, Balkrishna allegedly held over 99% shares, giving him near-complete control.
   • In Rajas Aero Sports, his stake was 25.01% at the time of bidding. But after the contract was awarded, his share reportedly increased to 69.43%.
   • Later, the losing companies also acquired stakes in the winning firm, raising fresh doubts about whether the bidding was truly independent.
3. Undervaluation of Land: Congress leaders argue that the land is worth far more than the annual fee of ₹1 crore. They estimate that based on official government rates, the land value would be ₹2,757 crore. In the open market, they claim, it could be four to ten times higher. By this calculation, the state is earning a very small return compared to the real value of the property.
4. Use of Public Funds: Since the ADB had already spent crores on developing infrastructure, Congress believes the project was almost “gift-wrapped” for the private firm. They allege that instead of inviting more competition or charging higher fees, the tender was structured in a way that favoured one group.

Because of these concerns, Congress has demanded a judicial probe by a retired judge or even a CBI inquiry. Arya has called the deal “a loot of public property” and accused the BJP government of favouritism.

BJP and CM Office defend the deal

The BJP has strongly denied all allegations. Party spokesperson Manveer Singh Chauhan said that the site was neglected for years and saw little tourism activity. He argued that since private investment has come in, tourism has picked up, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

The Chief Minister’s Office also issued a statement, saying the tender process was completely transparent and followed all rules. They stressed that ownership of the land and assets remains with the government, and only operations have been given to the company for a fixed term. The CMO also highlighted that the government is earning a steady fee, while tourism infrastructure is being developed without additional public spending.

Economic results so far

The winning company, Rajas Aero Sports, has seen dramatic financial growth after getting the project. Its turnover jumped from ₹1.17 crore in 2022-23 to ₹9.82 crore in 2023-24. Although the company also reported higher losses, its scale of operations has grown nearly eight-fold in just one year.

Tourist numbers have also risen sharply. By November 2024, the George Everest Estate had already attracted 2.2 lakh visitors. Around 3,402 passengers used the new helicopter services from the estate. This suggests that the project has boosted tourist activity, though questions remain about whether the state is getting its fair share of the benefits.

What lies ahead

The demand for a probe is likely to keep the issue alive in the political space. Congress wants answers to key questions:

• Why were companies with common ownership allowed to bid?
• Were shareholding changes after the award legal and transparent?
• Is the concession fee too low compared to the actual value of the land and facilities?

The BJP, however, dismisses these charges as politically motivated. The party believes that the improved tourist facilities and rising footfall are proof that the project is successful and beneficial for Uttarakhand.

Why this matters

This controversy is more than just a local political battle. It touches on larger questions about how public land and taxpayer-funded projects should be used. It highlights the issue of conflict of interest in government tenders, and whether powerful business groups get unfair advantages.

For Uttarakhand, which depends heavily on tourism for its economy, the outcome of this debate will be crucial. If the project succeeds fairly, it could be a model for sustainable tourism. But if the allegations are proven, it could become a case study in how not to handle public-private partnerships.

Conclusion

The George Everest Estate project has put the spotlight on the intersection of politics, business, and tourism in Uttarakhand. For now, the government insists that nothing illegal has been done, while the opposition demands a deeper probe.

As the issue unfolds, the people of Uttarakhand are left asking one question: is this project a genuine step toward boosting tourism, or a deal that favoured a select few at the cost of public interest?