Saturday, 11 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Greeting the devotees on the portals of Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri being opened to the public on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, Tourism, Public Works and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj has appealed to those undertaking the pilgrimage to register, remain updated of the weather and observe the guidelines issued by the government from time to time. He said that the government has made various arrangements for the convenience and safety of the pilgrims. A State-level control room is operating in Dehradun for the Yatra. A token and slot system is being put in place so that the pilgrims do not have to wait for long in queues to pay obeisance to the deity. The minister appealed to the visitors to follow the system put in place by the government. He also asked the officials on Yatra duty to ensure the convenience and safety of the pilgrims. Maharaj said that the Tourism department has facilitated online and offline registration of vehicles being used in the pilgrimage to ensure the safety of and monitor the pilgrims and the vehicles. Offline registration counters for the Char Dham Yatra are available in Rishikesh and Haridwar. He said that special focus is being laid on sanitation during the pilgrimage with a large number of permanent and temporary toilets being provided on the Yatra circuit. The minister further said that special arrangements have been made to monitor the national highways on the Char Dham Yatra circuit. A total of 36 machines have been deployed for necessary action in case of blockages in vulnerable sites. Further, 40 machines have been deployed on the landslide affected stretches of alternative routes under the Public Works Department, Maharaj said. The minister further informed that repairs and beautification have been carried out in 52 tourist rest houses of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) on the Yatra circuit. Stating that adequate arrangements have been made by GMVN, he said that the State government is focusing on ensuring proper arrangements for all pilgrims and travellers. He said that along with visiting the Char Dham shrines, the pilgrims can also visit other important temples nearby and the Manaskhand temples. It will be recalled that about 23 lakh people have registered to visit the Char Dham so far.
