Dehradun
Hoteliers and traders in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, voiced their grievances on Wednesday regarding alleged mismanagement of the Chardham yatra. They organized a protest procession in the Paligad area, criticizing the state government for the chaos along the yatra route, which they claim is causing significant inconvenience to pilgrims. According to Soban Singh Rana, president of the Yamuna Ghati Hotel Association, pilgrims are facing prolonged waits in their vehicles, sometimes up to 10-12 hours, leading to disruptions in their pilgrimage schedules.
The surge in pilgrim numbers this year has surpassed previous records, with Yamunotri hosting a record 15,630 pilgrims on Tuesday and Gangotri receiving a record 18,973 pilgrims on May 11. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed his secretary, R Meenakshi Sundaram, to monitor yatra management in Uttarkashi closely. Chief Secretary Radha Raturi has issued directives to halt the movement of unregistered vehicles along the yatra route and ensure mandatory health screenings for pilgrims over 50 years old, following reports of five deaths due to cardiac arrest.
Authorities are striving to maintain a balance between accommodating the surge in devotees and ensuring their safety. Despite the challenges posed by the increased footfall, the government is focused on providing a smooth and safe pilgrimage experience. Measures such as providing drinking water, food, and toilet facilities along the route are being implemented to facilitate pilgrims’ journey.
