Rise in pilgrim numbers due to all-weather road & various steps taken by government
Monday, 23 October 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The number of people who have undertaken the Char Dham Yatra so far this year has crossed 50 lakh. The number of visitors to the Char Dham shrines this year has broken all past records. The officials claim that the consistently rising number of people under the pilgrimage every year is a result of the success of the all-weather road and efficient management by the State government under chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. This figure is also attracting those interested in investing in the tourism sector during the global investors summit to be held in Dehradun during December.
According to official data, about 5.18 lakh people visited the Char Dham shrines during 2021. The number was less that year due to the pilgrimage being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The next year saw 46.27 lakh people undertaking the pilgrimage and in 2023 so far, more than 50.12 lakh people have undertaken the Char Dham Yatra.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation for the all-weather road project in December 2016 to enhance road connectivity in the State. The primary aim of this ambitious project is to enhance all-weather road connectivity to the Char Dham- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. This project will provide safe and convenient transport to the pilgrims enabling them to undertake the pilgrimage conveniently without being hindered by the weather conditions or natural hindrances. The local residents will also benefit considerably from the completion of this project with the positive results already being visible, officials claimed. The all-weather road project is making business convenient and encouraging tourism in the region which will strengthen the economic development of Uttarakhand.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had taken various steps for the convenience of the pilgrims ranging from online registration of pilgrims to all the Char Dham to separate arrangements for Darshan in the temples. Better ambulances were provided in greater numbers and a special team of doctors was also formed due to which the pilgrimage experience has been considerably convenient, the officials further claimed. As part of these measures, 50 health ATMs have been established at the Char Dham pilgrimage centres where telemedicine services are provided to the pilgrims. The State government in coordination with the Centre, is making consistent efforts to make the Char Dham Yatra more convenient and successful. Considering this, the number of people undertaking this Yatra is expected to rise further in the coming years.
