This year’s Chardham Yatra has placed a strong emphasis on the health and safety of pilgrims, with over five lakh devotees already screened. According to Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar, the state government is giving top priority to both the faith and safety of devotees coming from across India and abroad.
Under the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, a robust healthcare system has been deployed along the yatra routes. Given the high number of elderly, heart, and respiratory patients — many of whom are visiting high-altitude regions for the first time — this year’s arrangements have been strategically reinforced at three levels.
49 Permanent Health Centers and 20 Medical Relief Posts Active
In Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi districts, 49 permanent health centers and 20 Medical Relief Posts (MRPs) have been activated. Health facilities have also been strengthened in Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri, and Pauri. A total of 57 screening kiosks are operational at key entry points. New centers have been added in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Vikasnagar, and Kaliyasaur in Pauri.
17-Bed Hospital Now Operational in Kedarnath
To improve healthcare access at high altitudes, a 17-bed hospital has been launched in Kedarnath. The government has deployed 31 specialist doctors, 200 medical officers, and 381 paramedical staff across the yatra routes. These include 47 specialists from the state, 13 from central services, and five from private medical colleges.
29 Pilgrims Advised to Discontinue Journey for Health Reasons
Screening has revealed many pilgrims suffering from high blood pressure, respiratory issues, and other health conditions. As a result, 29 pilgrims were advised not to continue the yatra. Additionally, 369 patients were sent for treatment by ambulance, and 33 were airlifted using heli-ambulance services.
Health Monitoring Through e-Swasthya Dham Portal
The health department is using the e-Swasthya Dham portal to monitor pilgrim health data in real-time. For this, 50 tablets have been distributed to Chardham district teams to digitize data at screening points and MRPs. A fleet of 154 ambulances has been deployed along the route to ensure rapid medical response.
