By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEHRADUN, 3 May: The revered Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has commenced this year under unprecedented security arrangements, with the state government and police administration leaving no stone unturned to ensure the pilgrimage tenure is both safe and well-organised.
Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, security has been beefed up across the four Dhams, namely, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath. For the first time, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) have been deployed along the Yatra routes, marking a new level of preparedness for the annual pilgrimage.
A comprehensive deployment of security personnel and surveillance equipment has been implemented. District-wise, CCTV cameras have been installed: 107 in Dehradun, 85 in Haridwar, 102 in Tehri, 44 in Pauri, 115 in Rudraprayag, 79 in Chamoli, 20 in Uttarkashi (Gangotri), and 15 in the Yamunotri area. In total, more than 5,000 police personnel, 624 CCTV cameras, and drones are being used for crowd monitoring and quick response to emergencies.
The deployment includes 10 Additional SPs, 28 Circle Officers, 64 Inspectors, 387 Sub-Inspectors, 624 Head Constables, 791 Constables, 31 Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) sub-teams, and 1,452 Home Guards across the Yatra routes. Additionally, 30 fire brigade units are on alert, and 6 companies of paramilitary forces have been stationed at sensitive points.
Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) personnel have also been assigned a significant role in maintaining order and assisting pilgrims. The Youth Welfare Department confirmed that 270 PRD personnel, as requested by the police, are being deployed on various routes.
To address natural calamities, 58 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been stationed, ready to launch rescue operations at short notice in case of landslides or weather-related emergencies. Water police and divers have also been positioned at strategic locations, including Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, and Devprayag.
