PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the winter Char Dham Yatra will prove to be a game changer for the economy of Uttarakhand. He directed the officers to develop the areas near the winter abode of the Panch Badri and Panch Kedar.
The CM gave the order while chairing a meeting of the senior officers of the State administration at secretariat on Tuesday.
He said that the pilgrims visiting the State for winter Char Dham Yatra will be given 25 per cent rebate in the tariff of the GMVN hotels. The CM directed the officers to ensure that every possible facility is provided to the pilgrims on winter Yatra. He said that publicity of the winter Yatra should be made.
He directed the district magistrates of the districts concerned that they should prepare a report on the challenges faced by them during this year’s Yatra and the solutions for these challenges. He directed that the DMs should submit the report within a week to the State government. The CM said that the Char Dham Yatra is associated with the pride and honour of the State and it is the collective responsibility of everyone to provide facilities to pilgrims.
He said that since the number of pilgrims visiting the State for Char Dham Yatra is increasing every year, efforts to increase the carrying capacity of the shrines by augmenting infrastructure should be made.
The CM said that the ancient spots near the Char Dhams should be developed. He directed the officers to focus on improving roads, drinking water, sanitation and other basic facilities on the Yatra route. The CM said that work on developing alternative routes to Yamunotri should start. He said that the State administration should convene a meeting of all stakeholders for a well managed Yatra. He said that the preparations for the upcoming Ardha Kumbh in Haridwar should also start. Dhami directed the officers to expedite work in Ganga and Sharda corridors. He said that preparations for Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra should also start.
The deputy chairperson of State infrastructure monitoring board Vishwas Dawar, chief secretary Radha Raturi, additional chief secretary Anand Bardhan, principal secretary RK Sudhanshu, director general of police Deepam Seth and secretaries of different departments attended the meeting. The DMs and SPs of the districts on Char Dham Yatra route attended the meeting in a virtual mode.
