Uttarakhand will establish a Char Dham Yatra Authority in the new year to streamline and facilitate the Char Dham pilgrimage. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to complete all processes for the formation of the authority by January 30, 2025. He also emphasized the need for infrastructure development and increasing the carrying capacity of the Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri shrines.
In a high-level meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Friday, preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra were discussed. The Chief Minister ordered meetings with the pilgrimage priests and stakeholders by January 15 to gather their suggestions. He also recommended strengthening the use of digital technology for the pilgrimage registration process.
Emphasis on Crowd Control and Basic Infrastructure
Highlighting the increased number of pilgrims in recent years, CM Dhami stressed the need to work on crowd control strategies. He instructed the provision of essential amenities such as parking, hotels, drinking water, toilets, and sanitation along the travel routes to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
Additionally, the Chief Minister prioritized improving facilities during the winter pilgrimage to ensure better organization and management during the Char Dham Yatra. He also called for promoting the significance of Panch Badri and Panch Kedar and focused on the development of ancient pilgrimage sites.
In the meeting, Director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak, Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, presented solutions to challenges faced during previous pilgrimages. The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Shailesh Bagoli, Sachin Kurve, Special Officer Bhaskar Khulbe, and Additional Police Director General A.P. Anshuman.
