The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation has intensified preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, introducing new travel options and expanding its fleet. Along with regular bus services, the corporation plans to offer tempo traveller booking facilities for the pilgrimage for the first time.
Officials said that, in addition to Rishikesh, bus services to the Char Dham routes will also be operated from Haridwar this year. This move aims to ease passenger load and provide more boarding options for pilgrims. A reserve fleet of 100 buses will be kept ready to manage peak demand during the yatra.
Currently, roadways tempo travellers operate on routes such as Dehradun–Mussoorie and Nainital–Haldwani for individual passengers. For the Char Dham Yatra, six tempo travellers will be deployed with a booking facility, allowing groups to plan travel more conveniently. The corporation has focused on offering flexible options to improve the overall travel experience.
To ensure smooth operations, workshops along the yatra route will be upgraded. Facilities in Srinagar and Rishikesh workshops will be strengthened so that any technical faults in buses can be addressed quickly, reducing delays during the pilgrimage season.
Managing Director of the Transport Corporation, Reena Joshi, said that preparations are underway, with a dedicated nodal officer appointed for coordination. She added that bus trips on the routes will be increased based on demand.
While the expansion reflects proactive planning, the actual effectiveness will depend on timely execution, vehicle maintenance, and crowd management, which have posed challenges in previous yatra seasons.
