The state government’s preparations for the Chardham Yatra are now in the final stages. Despite being occupied in elections, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami is regularly monitoring the yatra preparations.
Garhwal Commissioner Mr. Vinay Shankar Pandey said that in accordance with the guidelines of the Honorable Chief Minister, a letter has been sent by the Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand Government, to the Chief Secretaries of all the states to the effect that during the first 15 days of the Yatra (especially VVIP darshan in Kedarnath Dham should be avoided as much as possible so that common devotees do not have to face any problems in darshan. Besides, the Registrar of the High Court is also being informed in this regard.
Garhwal Commissioner has also informed that to ensure that no incidents of black marketing and fraud take place in Heli services, this time arrangements have been made to book tickets only through the official website of IRCTC. Apart from this, he has also appealed to the general public to book heli only through IRCTC authorized by the state government. He said that the state government is fully committed to ensure smooth and safe Chardham Yatra and every possible effort is being made for this. He said that this time many additional arrangements are being made for the Yatra so that the devotees face minimum problems.
1495 vehicles can be parked at 20 places, monitoring will be done through app
This time, extensive preparations have been made by the state government for the Kedarnath Yatra. Garhwal Commissioner Shri Vinay Shankar Pandey said that this time the facilities for the devotees have been increased in every way as compared to last year. Last year, while a total of 9 parking lots were being operated on the Kedarnath Yatra route, that time parking arrangements have been made at a total of 20 places. Parking facility for 1495 vehicles will be available here. For the first time, an app has been created for monitoring vehicles.
700 sanitation workers will be deployed
Better arrangements have also been made regarding cleanliness on the yatra route. While last year 617 sanitation workers were deployed for this work, this time a total of 700 workers have been deployed for this duty. For the first time, four new high-tech modular toilets and four new mobile modular toilets have been arranged in the Yatra route. Apart from this, a road sweeping machine will also be deployed for cleaning work.
Horses and mules will remain under complete surveillance
This time, all the 4000 horses and mules running on the Yatra route will also be monitored from the administration level. Till last year, monitoring work was done partially. Apart from this, identity cards will be issued for the first time for hawkers. Apart from this, along with health checkup, a waste treatment plant of 30 ton capacity has been built in Sonprayag and arrangements for dumping ground have been made. This time, arrangements are also being made to operate the roster system. This time a total of 15 water fountains will be operated 24 hours for horses and mules. Apart from this, two dormitories with a capacity of 197 people have been arranged for those traveling with horses and mules.
Road widening from Sonprayag to Gaurikund
The road from Sonprayag to Gaurikund has been improved even more than last year. The road has been widened by 5 to 8 meters at most places.
Health facilities have been increased
Expected improvements have also been made in health facilities this time. Along with the deployment of a total of 5 ambulances, 3 golf carts are being deployed for the first time. Garhwal Commissioner said that this is being done for the first time that without disturbing the local arrangements, arrangements for all the doctors are being made apart from this so that the local residents do not have to face problems in terms of health facilities. At the same time, health check-up centers will be operated at about 18 places. He said that before coming on the journey, people should come on the journey only after their health checkup.