Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 8 Apr: Addressing a press conference at the State Congress Bhawan here, today, Badrinath MLA Lakhpat Singh Butola expressed grave concern regarding the state government’s ‘lack of seriousness’ towards the upcoming Char Dham Yatra preparations. He alleged that, while the auspicious gates of the four dham shrines are set to open on 19 April on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, the ground reality is marked by incomplete construction and a severe lack of basic infrastructure.
Recounting his recent visit to Badrinath on 5 April to review the arrangements, Butola claimed that despite the fact that redevelopment is a dream project of the Prime Minister under direct monitoring by the PMO, there has been gross negligence regarding the quality of work and the adherence to completion deadlines. He observed that, although thousands of devotees are expected on the very first day for the darshan of Lord Badrinath, the state government has failed to finish the essential works on time.
The Congress MLA further criticised the government for breaking long-standing traditions by failing to invite local public representatives and local MLAs to the Char Dham planning meetings, which he alleged prevents the identification and resolution of core issues. Butola also raised a serious environmental and structural alarm, claiming that ongoing construction by the Badrinath Authority has diverted the natural flow of the Alaknanda River towards Brahmakapal and Tapt Kund and asserted that this is posing a severe threat to the sanctum of the Badrinath temple itself.
Butola also claimed that the width of the Alaknanda River has been reduced by approximately 3 metres over a stretch of 1.5 km, destroying its natural course and creating future risks for both the infrastructure and local residents. He observed that, under the Master Plan, the demolition of the settlements around the temple complex has left the area in ruins, and despite the expiry of the stipulated timeframe, the beautification remains unfinished while the primary path for devotees and the traditional route for the Dev Doli are either incomplete or yet to commence.
Butola also lamented the neglect of the historic and religious Panch Dharas of Badrinath, claiming that the lack of maintenance has put their natural sources at risk of drying up. He demanded the immediate removal of the cap on the number of pilgrims, asserting that such restrictions find no place in Sanatan Dharma, and called for the online registration portal to remain permanently open alongside robust offline registration facilities. The Badrinath MLA also demanded extending the validity of green cards for commercial drivers to at least six months, ending the practice of stopping pilgrims and drivers at multiple barricades and ensuring local representation in the Master Plan committee. In addition, he also urged the government to ensure a steady supply of commercial gas to hotels, dhabas, and restaurants along the Yatra route to prevent any inconvenience to devotees and called for the immediate fulfilment of the 10-point charter of demands raised by local traders.
Among those present at the press conference were party’s spokesperson Pratima Singh, Pradeep Thapliyal, Mukesh Negi, Nareshanand Nautiyal, Pawan Negi and Nain Singh Bhandari.
