CM inspects Rishikesh Transit Camp ahead of Char Dham Yatra
By Our Staff Reporter
Rishikesh, 25 April: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a surprise inspection of the Char Dham Yatra Transit Camp here today and reviewed preparations ahead of the upcoming pilgrimage season. He also examined facilities including the registration room, travel inquiry centre, help desk, hospital, and police assistance counter, stressing the need for seamless arrangements to facilitate devotees. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal also accompanied the CM during the inspection.
The CM also stated that the Char Dham Yatra Transit Camp will offer LED-screen displays featuring bhajans, Ramayana and Mahabharata excerpts, Char Dham Yatra narratives, and aartis, alongside real-time weather updates for the pilgrims.
The CM reviewed the various arrangements in preparation for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra. He inspected facilities such as the registration room, travel inquiry and help centre, hospital, police assistance/lost-and-found desk, and other essential services at the transit camp.
On this occasion, Dhami directed the officials that the registration system at the transit camp must remain operational 24 hours a day. He stressed the need for a single-window system integrating services from departments such as police, transport, municipal corporation, health, water, tourism, and electricity, ensuring that devotees receive all necessary amenities in one place. He also emphasised on the importance of providing seamless support to pilgrims so that their journey is safe and enriching, leaving them with a positive experience of Uttarakhand.
The CM also instructed officials to ensure adequate accommodation for the devotees at the transit camp, including provisions such as coolers, clean drinking water, tin sheds, and chairs for protection from the heat, besides clean toilets. He emphasised the necessity of a fully stocked hospital with medicines and the deployment of medical professionals at the transit camp. Additionally, he called for the formulation of a special action plan for crowd management and traffic regulation.
Dhami also directed the officials to provide promotional material for Char Dham Yatra at the camp’s reception centre. He recommended that the devotees receive information on other destinations in addition to the Char Dham and instructed the Lost & Found Centre to coordinate with all travel routes. Furthermore, he ordered that a dedicated space be allocated for the sale of Uttarakhand’s local products within the transit camp premises. He also insisted on maintaining good coordination among all districts involved in Char Dham-related affairs.
During his visit, the CM also interacted with employees stationed at the transit camp, offering words of encouragement to them. He acknowledged their vital role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and expressed confidence that they would execute their responsibilities effectively. He urged them to extend a warm welcome to devotees, making their journey a memorable one.
Officials highlight arrangements at the transit camp
Commissioner Garhwal Vinay Shankar Pandey stated that registration facilities at the transit camp have been organised at 24 counters, with an additional reserve team in place. A 24-hour medical facility would be available at the Yatra Hospital, and that the police have installed a public address system at the Police Help Centre.
Pandey added that a media centre has been set up at the Yatra Transit Camp, where Yatri Mitras will assist pilgrims by providing information and services. Additionally, various NGOs and organisations will offer free food and refreshments to travellers, while canteen services will also be available. Adequate drinking water provisions have been made, with water tankers arranged by Jal Sansthan. He noted that four dormitories equipped with 80 beds are also available for the pilgrims’ convenience.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, Rishikesh MLA Prem Chand Agarwal, MLA Renu Bisht, IG, Garhwal, Rajiv Swaroop, were among those present on the occasion.
