In this two-part investigative series, Dheeraj Mishra and Aiswarya Raj examine how Uttarakhand's push for adventure and aviation tourism became intertwined with the interests of a politically connected corporate network. The first part investigates the awarding of a flagship adventure tourism project through a tender process in which all three bidders were allegedly linked to the same promoter, despite explicit anti-collusion provisions. The investigation reveals how Rajas Aerosports and Adventures Pvt Ltd secured the contract and traces the subsequent consolidation of ownership by Acharya Balkrishna, co-founder of Patanjali and close aide of Baba Ramdev, who significantly increased his stake in the company after the award. The reportage also documents instances of alleged official favouritism, including state authorities facilitating regulatory clearances on behalf of the company. The second part explores the company's entry into aviation tourism and analyses the economic implications of the project in a state heavily dependent on connectivity-driven tourism. It highlights how public land in Mussoorie, renovated through funding from the Asian Development Bank, was transferred to a private entity, resulting in substantial revenue losses to the state exchequer. Through meticulous documentation, analysis of corporate and government records, and persistent reporting, the investigation exposes how public assets in a fragile, disaster-prone hill state were repurposed to serve private interests, raising critical questions about transparency, governance, and accountability.
Read the Story →Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with the Business Bureau of The Indian Express, where he reports on India's key infrastructure sectors, including Railways, Road Transport, and Highways, offering in-depth coverage of the country's critical connectivity networks. He also closely tracks the political economy, with a particular focus on the intersection of politics and big business.
A graduate of the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia, Dheeraj has built a distinguished career in public interest journalism, producing impactful reportage on governance, infrastructure, and the environment.
His work has been recognised with several prestigious honours, including the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2019 and the Anupam Mishra Memorial Medal for River Journalism in 2022. He was selected as a Chevening Fellow in 2023 and is also a recipient of a fellowship from the Earth Journalism Network.
Known for his rigorous reporting and investigative approach, Dheeraj's journalism consistently examines issues of accountability, public policy, and the complex relationship between state institutions and corporate interests.
Recognising journalism that reflects integrity, courage, empathy and truth.