By OUR STAFF REPORTER
KEDARNATH (Rudraprayag), 3 May: In a significant step towards upgradation of pilgrim facilities, devotees visiting Kedarnath Dham will now have access to free WiFi facility. A successful trial was held of Wifi services in Kedarnath Dham on Saturday. The officials stated that this service has been been dedicated to the devotees, who have expressed their gratitude to the government and administration for the initiative.
The officials also claim that with every coming year, the state government and administration continue to introduce measures to make the Char Dham Yatra smoother and more convenient for pilgrims arriving from across the country and abroad. They also stated that Kedarnath Dham Yatra, known for being one of the most challenging pilgrimages, has now set a new benchmark by incorporating advanced technology for devotees.
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the initiative of District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, Saurabh Gaharwar, a disaster-sensitive district, has established its own mobile network. Named the District Disaster Resource Network, this dedicated network will function continuously even during disasters or emergencies, providing mobile data, voice calling, and high-quality CCTV visuals.
As part of this initiative, free WiFi is now available to devotees. Chief Development Officer GS Khati shared that the users can access the service by registering their mobile number in the WiFi settings. An OTP will be sent to the registered number, and upon verification, high-speed WiFi can be used for half an hour.
Rudraprayag has become the first district in India to establish an independent mobile network. During the disaster on the Kedarnath footpath in July 2024, when conventional networks had failed, this network proved to be a lifeline for travellers, labourers, and rescue teams. It facilitated contact with families and played a crucial role in relief and rescue operations.
