Monday, 11 April 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
With lakhs of pilgrims expected to undertake the Char Dham Yatra this year, the State government is committed to ensuring safety and convenience during the pilgrimage. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said this while speaking at a religious function in Haridwar on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhami said that the Yatra is slated to start in May and that the government is attempting to ensure better facilities for all pilgrims. A high level meeting has also been held for this purpose. The State is prepared for facilitating a safe Char Dham Yatra for which all arrangements have been made, added the chief minister.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand was not conducted properly due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. It was undertaken for a limited period with various restrictions in place including a cap on the number of pilgrims allowed to visit the shrines. With Covid related restrictions being lifted in the state, the people in various sectors connected to the pilgrimage are looking forward to good business this year. The chief minister himself had stated recently that record-breaking numbers of pilgrims are expected to undertake the pilgrimage this year. The Char Dham Yatra is slated to begin from May 3 with the reopening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The Kedarnath shrine will be reopened to the public on May 6 while Badrinath will be reopened on May 8. According to officials, a meeting of the district magistrates concerned, senior police and departmental officials has already been held regarding preparations for the pilgrimage. All the departments concerned have been directed to complete the Yatra related arrangements by April 25. Focus is being laid on ensuring clear road network to facilitate smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Since most pilgrims from across India and abroad were unable to undertake this pilgrimage during the past two years, the authorities are expecting that a considerable number of people will visit Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra this year. It is pertinent to mention here that a number of people in both rural and urban areas of the state are involved in various activities and businesses connected to the Char Dham Yatra and tourism.
