PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has requested the Defence minister Rajnath Singh that the Air Force Audit branch should continue functioning from Dehradun. Dhami also requested that work of maintaining the Gwaldam-Nandkesari-Tharali-Dwali-Mundoli-Wan road should be retained with the Public Works Department. During a courtesy visit to the Defence minister on Sunday, the CM informed him that the Air Force Audit branch has been functioning for a long time from Dehradun without any disruption. The State shares borders with Nepal and China, in addition to which there are various important institutions of the army and security forces here. The strategic importance of Dehradun is very high due to such factors, he said. Dhami cited these factors to request Singh that the Air Force Audit branch should continue functioning from Dehradun. He asked the necessary directions be issued for this. Raising another issue, the CM said that the Uttarakhand PWD should retain the work of maintaining and repairing the Gwaldam-Nandkesari-Tharali-Dwal-Mundoli-Wan motor road. He said that this route is a major route of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat with the next Yatra slated to be held in 2026. To ensure effective arrangements for this Yatra which is important from the State’s religious and cultural beliefs, it is important that the maintenance of the road be done at the local level by the PWD. Dhami further said that considering the local conditions, coordination and the need for swift execution of work, the PWD is best suited for this task. The Defence minister assured the CM that the Centre will consider the issues raised by Dhami positively.