In the anticipation of the forthcoming Chardham Yatra, the Uttarakhand administration is sparing no effort to ensure a seamless and spiritually fulfilling journey for the pilgrims. With Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami actively overseeing the arrangements amidst the ongoing electoral activities, both convenience and safety are being prioritized for the pilgrims.
In a bid to elevate the sanctity and smoothness of the pilgrimage, the decision has been made to refrain from VVIP darshan for the initial 15 days, particularly at Kedarnath Dham. This directive, conveyed through a missive from the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary to all state counterparts, underscores the necessity of granting priority access to the common devotees.
Additionally, stringent measures are being implemented to curb issues such as black market activities and fraudulent practices in helicopter services, with the public strongly urged to procure tickets exclusively through the official IRCTC website sanctioned by the state government.
Furthermore, comprehensive arrangements have been made to accommodate the surge in devotee numbers, including provisions for parking at 20 locations along the yatra route, capable of accommodating 1495 vehicles. A monitoring application has been developed to track the movement of these vehicles.
An extensive cleanliness drive is also underway, with the deployment of 700 sanitation workers compared to 617 in the preceding year. State-of-the-art modular toilets and mobile units have been introduced, complemented by the utilization of a road sweeping machine for effective sanitation.
A meticulous monitoring system has been devised for all 4000 horses and mules traversing the yatra route, with identity cards issued for hawkers and mandatory health screenings. Additional amenities such as water fountains and dormitories have been arranged for their attendants.
Furthermore, infrastructure enhancements encompass road expansion, augmented health facilities featuring ambulances and golf carts, and the deployment of medical personnel without causing disruption to local services.
Medical check-up centers will be operational at 18 points along the route, ensuring comprehensive healthcare support for the pilgrims. These exhaustive preparations aim to facilitate a sacred and stress-free Chardham Yatra experience for all devotees.
