Thursday, 16 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
In view of the unexpected crowd rush at Char Dham shrines, the officiating director general of police Abhinav Kumar has requested his counterparts across the country to not send any VIPs from their respective states till May 31 for Yatra. He also said that the unprecedented figures of pilgrims within a few days of Char Dham Yatra are among the major causes of traffic jams on routes and heavy rush in shrines for Darshan. He said, “In view of the unexpected crowd at the Char Dhams, we have written a letter to the DGPs of all the states of the country and requested them not to send any VIP from their respective states for the Char Dham Darshan till May 31.” Talking about the severe traffic jams on Char Dham routes, he said that the rate of pilgrims visiting Char Dham shrines this year is quite high compared to the past five years. Considering this rate, the number of pilgrims might grow about 70 to 75 lakh this year which is quite an unprecedented figure. “All departments concerned are working together to regulate the traffic jams and crowds. All pilgrims arriving here are our guests but they should also consider the high number of pilgrims visiting a shrine in advance before making the plan to visit it. They should understand that the police might have to stop their vehicles, divert them or send them back in case the journey could not be continued due to certain reasons. If a place is already overcrowded and there is no accommodation for pilgrims there, the police will not send them ahead. I appeal to the pilgrims to have some patience for their safety purposes,” the DGP said. He has also ordered the Superintendent of Police of Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi to assess the prescribed capacity of the four Dhams as per scientific method and allow pilgrims’ entry there accordingly.
