Garhwal Commissioner reviews preparations for Char Dham Yatra
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Feb: Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey today convened an important meeting at the Transit Camp, Rishikesh, with office-bearers of the Hotel Association, representatives of the Tour and Travels Union and operators of dandi-kandi services. The meeting aimed at ensuring a successful, systematic and safe conduct of the forthcoming Char Dham Yatra 2026. A comprehensive discussion on management of the Yatra was held, with the police administration also sharing its strategy for smooth operations. Garhwal, Inspector General, Rajiv Swaroop was also present.
In line with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s resolve of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, preparations for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 have begun at an extensive level. The dates for opening of the portals of the four shrines have already been announced. On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri will open on 19 April 2026, while the portals of Kedarnath will open on 22 April 2026 (announced yesterday on the occasion of Maha Shivratri) and those of Badrinath on 23 April 2026 for devotees.
At the meeting, the commissioner stated that suggestions from all stakeholders would be taken seriously to make the management of the Yatra more effective. In order to address the practical issues raised by the Hotel Association, Tour and Travels Union and dandi-kandi operators, a committee under the chairmanship of the Additional Commissioner has been constituted. Upon receipt of the committee’s recommendations, necessary decisions would be taken within a day or two and efforts would be made to commence the Char Dham registration process at the earliest.
Responding to a demand of the Hotel Association, Pandey clarified that there would be no cap on the number of pilgrims this year. However, registration would remain mandatory for every traveller. To curb fake registrations, a minimum registration fee will be prescribed. The registration system will be made simple, accessible and transparent.
On the demand of the Tour and Travels Union, Pandey directed that priority be accorded to local vehicles during the Char Dham Yatra. He instructed the Transport Department to ensure strict enforcement action against the illegal practice of private vehicles carrying passengers on hire, so that the interests of authorised vehicle operators are protected and the safety and orderliness of the Yatra are maintained. He further directed that parking facilities be ensured within the premises of hotels where accommodation for pilgrims is arranged. During discussions with dandi-kandi operators, the commissioner instructed concerned officials to complete the processes of their registration, verification and determination of charges in a time-bound manner.
During the meeting, the Hotel Association suggested that the registration process should begin well in time, priority be given to pilgrims undertaking the complete Char Dham circuit, preference be provided to those having confirmed hotel bookings and that the registration system be made more user-friendly. The Tour and Travels Union proposed restrictions on vehicles of outside travel agencies and sought effective action against private vehicles ferrying passengers on hire.
Assuring all stakeholders, Commissioner Pandey said that their important suggestions would be implemented to make the Char Dham Yatra simple, convenient and safe, and that every possible effort would be made to ensure its successful conduct.
Among those present at the meeting were IG, Garhwal, Rajiv Swaroop, DM, Rudraprayag, Vishal Mishra, Additional Commissioner (Administration) Uttam Singh Chauhan, Divisional Transport Officer, Dehradun, Sandeep Saini, Deputy Director, Tourism, Amit Lohani, Controller and Chief Executive Officer Man Mohan Singh Rawat, Char Dham Association President Rajesh Mehta, Shailendra Mathuda, Shailesh Dhayani, Hotel Association Secretary Manoj Semwal, Nikhilesh Semwal, BP Naithani, Subhash Singh, Dhiraj Semwal, Anil Kumar, Vinod Dimri, Amar Belwal and other senior officers of departments associated with the Char Dham Yatra.
