By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 9 Jul: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has formally approved a budget of Rs 127 crore for the financial year 2025–26. The Committee’s board meeting held at its Canal Road office here today was presided over by new President Hemant Dwivedi and began with traditional prayers to Lord Badrinath and Lord Kedarnath.
The meeting began with the introduction and welcome of newly appointed members and office-bearers of the Committee. Expressions of appreciation were extended to the state government and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for instrumental support and guidance, which, the committee members claimed, has ensured the smooth continuation of the Char Dham Yatra, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal welcomed all the officials and committee members to the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted BKTC. Finance Officer Manish Kumar Upreti subsequently presented the budget for consideration. Following detailed deliberations, the Board approved the financial plan for the upcoming year.
President Hemant Dwivedi shared that the total budgetary allocation amounts to Rs 127. 09 crores, which has been earmarked for the administrative and religious operations at both Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham. For Badrinath Dham, a projected income of Rs 64.22 crores has been recorded, against which expected anticipated expenditures stand at Rs 568,683,320. For Kedarnath Dham, the projected income has been estimated to be Rs 62.87 crores with anticipated expenditure of Rs 40.93 crores.
It was also shared at the meeting that as per updated figures, a total of 24,78,963 (24.78 lakhs) pilgrims had visited Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhams till yesterday. This comprises 1,137,628 pilgrims at Badrinath Dham and 1,341,335 at Kedarnath Dham. Registration data reflects 1,432,983 devotees for Badrinath and 1,549,930 for Kedarnath. It was also claimed that despite prevailing monsoon conditions, the Char Dham Yatra continues smoothly and without disruption.
BKTC Media In-charge Harish Gaur shared that the meeting concluded with a two-minute silence in honour of temple employee Vikram Rawat, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident at Kedarnath, along with other pilgrims who passed away during this year’s yatra due to various mishaps.
Those present at the meeting included Vice-Presidents Rishi Prasad Sati and Vijay Kaprwan, and members Srinivas Posti, Mahendra Sharma, Dheeraj Panchbhaiya Monu, Devi Prasad Devli, Rajpal Jadadhari, Prahlad Pushpwan, Vineet Posti, Rajendra Prasad Dimri, Neelam Puri, and Dinesh Dobhal. Also present were Badrinath In-charge Officer Vipin Tiwari, Legal Officer SS Bartwal, Private Secretary Pramod Nautiyal, Atul Dimri, Vishwanath, and Sanjay Bhatt, among other officials.
