Char Dham Yatra: Commercial vehicle operators to apply for green cards from April 11

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun

The Transport department has announced that the commercial vehicle operators can apply for green cards for the Char Dham Yatra from April 11. The online application process will begin the same day and the green cards will be issued from all RTO and ARTO offices across the State, as per the officials. They informed that this mandatory requirement is part of the department’s renewed efforts to streamline pilgrim transport and ensure safer travel during the annual pilgrimage.

In a key decision made in February this year, the department stated that all public transport vehicles with a seating capacity of 13 or more will be required to obtain a green card, regardless of whether they intend to visit the Char Dham temples.

This decision was taken after several accidents occurred on Char Dham routes last year. The officials said that this move aims to better regulate vehicle movement during the Yatra season, which sees a heavy influx of tourists and pilgrims to the Char Dham temples. For local vehicles registered in Uttarakhand, the green card will remain valid until November 30. However, vehicles coming from outside the State will receive green cards with a validity of only 15 days.

This distinction is intended to manage temporary traffic efficiently while keeping long-term local operations uninterrupted, as per the officials. They said that the green card system is not only a measure of vehicle verification and regulatory control but also contributes to improving road safety and minimising environmental impact during one of the busiest religious events in the state.

With thousands expected to visit the Char Dham shrines this year, the new guidelines are set to play a crucial role in managing the pilgrimage season smoothly, they said.