Char Dham Yatra proceeding smoothly: Dhami

Dehradun, 18 May: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today again held a review meeting in respect of Char Dham Yatra arrangements on a virtual mode from New Delhi. After the meeting, Chief Minister Dhami also posted a tweet on X, claiming that the Char Dham Yatra is now proceeding smoothly and normally. He added that the government is reviewing the situation regarding the Yatra on a daily basis. He added that all the devotees are getting Darshan properly and slowly the situation has been brought fully under control. He added that all other necessary arrangements are also being made to ensure a smooth and efficient management and operation of the Yatra.

Earlier, Chief Minister Singh Dhami, while reviewing the Char Dham Yatra arrangements virtually from New Delhi today, issued instructions to make the Char Dham online registration system more effective. He said that Char Dham Yatra is going to attract more and more pilgrims in the coming years also. Establishment of Travel authority should also be considered as per requirement for efficient management and operation of various yatras conducted within the state including Char Dham Yatra, Kaanwar Yatra, Purnagiri Yatra, etc.

Dhami admitted that it is the responsibility of all those in government and the administration to provide Darshan of Char Dham to every devotee reaching the state for the Yatra and the administration must ensure convenient and smooth Yatra and Darshan to all the devotees by becoming the partners of the pilgrims. He also directed the officers to always be in alert mode regarding the yatra. He directed the administration of all the related districts to increase the number of toilets along with all the basic facilities at the holding points. In case of excessive crowding, alternative routes should be considered for evacuation of vehicles. He further instructed the officials to also conduct regular sanitation drives on the Yatra route.

The Chief Minister said that all preparations should be completed in view of the upcoming holidays and weekends, when the crowds are likely to increase. He instructed the District Magistrates and administrations of Haridwar, Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi to work in mutual coordination with each other to ensure smooth Yatra. He said that all the officers should go to the ground and seek direct feedback from the devotees so that even small shortcomings can be resolved in time.

District Magistrate Chamoli Himanshu Khurana informed the Chief Minister that about 13,000 devotees visited Badrinath Dham yesterday. He added that he had also conducted inspection on foot of Hemkund Sahib and reviewed preparations for Hemkund Yatra. He assured that all the arrangements will be completed before the journey. District Magistrate Uttarkashi Dr Meharban Singh Bisht informed that 15,800 pilgrims visited Yamunotri Dham yesterday and that the devotees are continuously being sent to Yamunotri and Gangotri through the gate system. All basic facilities have been arranged by the administration at various holding points.