Thursday, 06 April 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
9.97 lakh people register for Yatra so far
The State’s Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj said that strict action should be taken against those misguiding devotees undertaking the Char Dham Yatra. He directed officials to ensure proper feeding and rest facilities for mules on the routes to Kedarnath and Yamunotri, adding that the guidelines for operation of mules should be strictly followed. Further, strict action should be taken against those found black marketing helicopter tickets, he said. The minister issued these directions while chairing a meeting to review arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra starting later this month. The minister said that the Char Dham Yatra is also a matter of prestige for the State so there should not be any careleness with its arrangements. A total of 9, 97,100 people have so far registered for the Char Dham Yatra which is slated to start on April 22. Since it was started on February 16, bookings worth Rs 7.53 crore have been made so far in Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam guest houses, he said.
Maharaj said that posting of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, water police, divers and traffic police personnel on the Yatra routes and the Char Dham should be ensured during the pilgrimage. Vehicles should be checked regularly while special focus should be laid on identifying locations prone to blockages and deployment of mechanical excavators and other machines at such locations. Checkposts should be established on the Yatra routes and alon with regular checking of vehicles, directions regarding the pilgrimage should be issued to the drivers and travel agencies. He directed officials to arrange for literature on the various tourist circuits in the State which should be kept in all taxis for the information of visitors. Insurance of the pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra will be done through the Manav Utthan Seva Samiti, he added. The minister further said that those arriving for the pilgrimage should be greeted with ‘Jai Gangotri’, ‘Jai Yamunotri’, ‘Jai Badrinath’ and ‘Jai Kedarnath’. Fixed rate lists of food and accommodation should be put up at all hotels and eateries on the Yatra routes, he added.
Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee chairman Ajendra Ajay and officials concerned were also present in the meeting.
