Who was B.C. Khanduri? Former Uttarakhand CM and ex-road transport minister behind India’s massive highway push dies at 91

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri passed away at a private hospital on Tuesday at the age of 91 after a prolonged illness.

According to his daughter and Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, the veteran leader breathed his last around 11 am. He had been suffering from age-related ailments and had been hospitalised frequently in recent times.

Khanduri is survived by his wife Aruna, son Manish, and daughter Ritu Khanduri Bhushan.


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BC Khanduri's education

Khanduri had a distinguished academic and professional background combining engineering, defence studies, and public administration.

He held a B.Sc. (Previous), B.E. in Civil Engineering, M.I.E. (India), and completed the Defence Services Staff College course at Wellington, Tamil Nadu. He was first reserve for the Defence Services Staff College at Camberley, England (1969). He also earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Management, and completed courses in Administrative Behaviour and Leadership, along with a Long Defence Management Course.

He was educated at Allahabad University (1951–1953), the College of Military Engineering, Pune (1957–1959), the Institute of Engineers in New Delhi, the Institute of Defence Management, Secunderabad (1973–1974), and the Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi (1976).

Military background and political career

Before entering politics, Khanduri retired from the Indian Army as a Major General. Popularly known as “General Sahab”, he was widely regarded for his disciplined approach and strict administrative style.

He served twice as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, first assuming office in 2007 after the BJP’s victory in the state assembly elections. He resigned in 2009, taking moral responsibility after the party lost all five Lok Sabha seats in the state, and was later reinstated as Chief Minister in 2011.

Roles in Union government and infrastructure work

Khanduri also served as a Union Minister in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, holding the portfolio of Road Transport and Highways.

He is credited with overseeing the execution of the Golden Quadrilateral project, which connected the four corners of the country through a highway network.

Uttarakhand CM expresses condolences

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over his demise, calling it an irreparable loss for state and national politics.

Dhami said Khanduri exemplified discipline, dedication, and national service during his tenure in the Indian Army. He added that the former Chief Minister had built a strong identity for development, good governance, transparency, and clean politics.

He further noted that Khanduri’s simplicity, honesty, and efficiency would continue to inspire future generations and extended condolences to his family, supporters, and well-wishers.