Garhwal Post Bureau
Uttarkashi, 9 May: The rising number of deaths among pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has once again raised concerns. An 82-year-old devotee from Tamil Nadu, identified as Shambhu Keval, died today while returning from Yamunotri shrine. He had begun his Yatra earlier in the day and after offering prayers at the temple was walking back when he suddenly felt uneasy near Naukaichi on the pedestrian route. He complained of chest pain and breathlessness before collapsing.
Health workers and staff on duty rushed to provide first aid and immediately shifted him to the Janaki Chatti health centre, where doctors declared him dead. Dr Akhil Rana, in charge of the centre, confirmed that the elderly pilgrim had suffered a heart attack. Police were informed and necessary formalities are being carried out. This incident marks the third death of a pilgrim at Yamunotri since the yatra has begun this year. Most cases of death have been linked to cardiac arrest and sudden health deterioration. The officials have pointed to overcrowding, the arduous trek, and reduced oxygen levels at high altitude as major challenges for elderly devotees. The administration and health department have urged pilgrims, particularly senior citizens and those with pre-existing conditions, to undergo medical check-ups, take adequate rest, and exercise caution during the journey. Medical teams and health camps have been deployed along the route to provide immediate assistance in emergencies.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, tragedy struck on the Gangotri National Highway near Chinyalisaur bypass in Uttarkashi district, where a 26-year-old youth was killed in a road accident early this morning. The victim, identified as Mamraj, son of Tika Singh and a resident of Tipri Bist in Chinyalisaur, was walking along the roadside during his morning routine when a utility vehicle lost control and hit him. Police said the vehicle, driven by Rohit, son of late Subhash Chandra of Kund, Naugaon, went out of control after suspected brake failure or possibly because the driver dozed off.
Mamraj, who was serving as Assistant Industry Officer in Kandiseud, died on the spot. His death has cast a pall of grief over the area. Police reached the site promptly, took possession of the body, and sent it to Chinyalisaur hospital for post-mortem. The body has since been handed over to the family. A case has been registered against the driver, and the vehicle has been seized. Station Officer Dharasu Manoj Aswal confirmed that preliminary investigation points to mechanical failure and driver fatigue as possible causes.
The twin tragedies underline the risks faced both by pilgrims undertaking arduous journeys in the Himalayas and by residents navigating treacherous mountain roads. While the administration has stepped up medical preparedness along the yatra routes, the road accident highlights the need for stricter vehicle checks and driver alertness on hilly highways. For Uttarakhand, where faith and fragile terrain intersect, safety remains a pressing concern for both visitors and locals.
