In view of the continuously increasing number of devotees in Chardham Yatra in the state, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has given instructions to form a committee for Chardham Yatra management strategy in future. Besides, if needed, it has also been asked to take help of NDRF and ITBP for crowd management. He has instructed Chief Secretary Radha Raturi to send daily reports of pilgrims at the four Dhams, Yatra routes and halting places to the Home Ministry.
Union Secretary held a meeting regarding the status of the Yatra
On Thursday, the Union Secretary held a meeting regarding the status of Chardham Yatra through virtual medium. He asked for strict monitoring of on-site travel management and strict compliance with the registration and token system. In the meeting, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi told that Chardham Yatra is being conducted smoothly in the state. Tourists especially from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra come for the yatra. Through letters and also by talking to their Chief Secretaries in person, it has been requested that the pilgrims should come on Chardham Yatra only after registration. It was also informed that offline registration of Chardham Yatra has been banned till May 31. He said that the 24-hour call center of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board is working for registration.
This year, one and a half times more devotees compared to last year
Registered passengers are being checked at Barkot, Heena, Sonprayag and Pandukeshwar. Arrangements have been made for darshan of the Dhams by stamping the tokens of the devotees standing in the queue in the temple premises. This year more than one and a half times more devotees have visited compared to last year. The Chief Secretary also gave information about the steps being taken by the Transport Department, Police and Health Department. In the meeting, the Union Home Secretary assured all possible help and cooperation for the successful conduct of Chardham Yatra. Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar, Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Sachin Kurve, Dilip Jawalkar and Arvind Singh Hayanki were also present in the meeting.
