Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a high-level meeting at the Secretariat on Monday to evaluate the preparedness for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra. He instructed officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements, including road connectivity, drinking water, electricity, healthcare facilities, and effective traffic management, are in place before the Yatra begins.
Launch of Green Char Dham Yatra Initiative
In a significant step towards environmental sustainability, CM Dhami announced the launch of the Green Char Dham Yatra Campaign. He emphasized the importance of keeping the pilgrimage routes clean and instructed officials to install sufficient pink toilets for women travelers. The Chief Minister also encouraged public representatives and officials to actively engage in cleanliness drives to maintain high hygiene standards throughout the journey.
Importance of the Yatra
Underlining the economic and spiritual significance of the Char Dham Yatra, CM Dhami stated, “The Char Dham Yatra is not only the backbone of Uttarakhand’s economy but also a revered spiritual center for people worldwide. The administration must make all necessary efforts to ensure a smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage for devotees.”
Crackdown on Helicopter Ticket Black Marketing
To curb the illegal sale of helicopter tickets, CM Dhami directed officials to intensify monitoring efforts and warned of strict action against offenders. Additionally, he instructed the Animal Husbandry Department to conduct timely health screenings for horses and mules used in the Yatra and ensure their adequate food and water supply.
Enhancing Infrastructure and Safety Measures
The Chief Minister highlighted the necessity of completing road widening and pending construction projects before the commencement of the Yatra. He also instructed officials to prevent unnecessary stoppages of devotees along the routes and ensure the availability of essential services at designated halt points. As a safety measure, he emphasized conducting health screenings for pilgrims before they begin their journey.
Master Plan for Winter Tourism and Upcoming Events
To expand tourism beyond the Char Dham Yatra season, CM Dhami directed officials to formulate a Master Plan for developing winter travel destinations like Gangotri and Yamunotri. He also instructed the administration to start early preparations for two major religious events: the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra in 2026 and the Kumbh Mela in 2027.
Officers to Support Their Initial Posting Areas
In a unique initiative, the Chief Minister suggested that IAS, IPS, and PCS officers adopt the areas where they received their first postings. He encouraged them to contribute to the region’s development by addressing public concerns and improving local infrastructure. To better understand local challenges, he advised officials to spend nights in their adopted areas.
Attendees of the High-Level Meeting
The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers Satpal Maharaj, Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Minister of State Vishwas Dabur, Additional Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram, senior police officials, department heads, and District Magistrates from Char Dham Yatra-connected districts via virtual conferencing.
This proactive approach by the Uttarakhand government aims to improve the Char Dham Yatra experience while ensuring sustainability and efficient governance.