State Govt withdraws decision on limiting daily visitor numbers to Char Dham shrines
Saturday, 22 April 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
CM flags off buses carrying pilgrims from Rishikesh on Char Dham Yatra
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has withdrawn the earlier decision to limit the number of people visiting the Char Dham shrines on a daily basis. The online and offline registration of pilgrims will continue as before as it also helps in keeping a track of the visitors. After Dhami tweeted the decision on Friday, additional chief secretary Radha Raturi also issued a communication regarding the decision to the officials concerned. On the same day, the CM flagged off Char Dham pilgrims from Rishikesh. Dhami garlanded the pilgrims before flagging off the buses carrying them.
Welcoming the pilgrims, he prayed to the Char Dham presiding deities wishing that the pilgrimage season goes off as well as it did in the last year. Stressing that the State government is committed to ensuring a safe pilgrimage, he said that arrangements for the pilgrimage are being consistently monitored at every level. He said that so far 16 lakh people have registered for the Yatra so far, adding that the government will ensure that the experience of each pilgrim is convenient and safe. He said that the government had started preparing for the 2023 Yatra as soon as the pilgrimage concluded in 2022. Dhami said that grand and divine reconstruction has been undertaken at Kedarnath under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said that the pilgrims will also see the master plan works in Badrinath this year. The PM has unveiled the foundation for ropeways from Hemkund and Gaurikund to Kedarnath, which will make the pilgrimage more accessible in the future. Due to the all weather road project, people are able to reach the Char Dham shrines from Rishikesh in considerably shorter time compared to the past. Dhami further said that the State government had also decided to shower flowers from a helicopter to welcome the pilgrims arriving for Char Dham Yatra.
Speaking on the occasion, Urban Development minister Prem Chand Agrwal said that special focus has been laid on accommodation and cleanliness in toilets in every local body. He appealed to the pilgrims to seek a bill without fail wherever they seek accommodation and take meals. The visitors should also buy as many local products as they can, he added. Hans Foundation founder Bhole Maharaj, convenor Mata Mangala, cabinet ministers Subodh Uniyal, Chandan Ram Dass and others were also present on the occasion.
