PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
Ahead of the Char Dham Yatra, a number of organisations associated with Yamunotri pilgrimage, including the Yamuna Valley Hotel Association and local businessmen, met in Barkot and expressed resentment over the state of things involving the yatra commencing on April 19. Further, they warned that if their demands are not met soon, a complete shutdown would begin the day the portals of Yamunotri Dham open, something which might seriously impact the operation of the pilgrimage.
Those at the meeting primarily demanded the removal of the limit on the number of pilgrims, saying that the number cap on the pilgrimage not only inconveniences pilgrims but also directly impacts the local hotel business, trade and employment. Furthermore, the check posts, gate systems and barriers set up by RTO were also termed unnecessary and demanded their removal. Traders and hoteliers say that due to these arrangements, travellers get stuck in traffic jams for hours and the travel experience is spoiled, which negatively impacts religious and other forms of tourism.
Venting grievances, the president of Yamuna Valley Hotel Association, Soban Singh Rana said that the State government should prioritise local interests and convenience of pilgrims. “Unless the government arranges talks to resolve the issues we will have no other option but to shut down Yamunotri Valley the day its portals open,” he said.
A senior representative of the traders, Dhanveer Rawat said that they were looking forward to the State government to step in and resolve their grievances through talks. A teerth purohit, Ashutosh Uniyal echoed them and said that it was up to the State government to resolve the hitherto unaddressed issues and ensure a smooth pilgrimage.
