Uttarakhand Gears Up for Char Dham Yatra 2023

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, conducted a site visit to Rudraprayag on Thursday for an overview of the developments ahead of the Char Dham Yatra set to start on April 19. Alongside his evaluation of the roads and infrastructure, Union Home Ministry officials engaged with state authorities on disaster management strategies.

The pilgrimage will commence on Akshay Tritiya, marking its beginning with the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarkashi. Kedarnath's gates in Rudraprayag are scheduled to open on April 22, followed by Badrinath in Chamoli on April 23. Dhami traveled from Rudraprayag to Guptkashi on the NH-107, scrutinizing infrastructural improvements and reviewing landslide-prone areas including Jawadi bypass and the under-construction tunnel in Tilwara.

In Guptkashi, Dhami led a comprehensive review meeting, urging the completion of pending works before the yatra. Simultaneously, MHA Additional Secretary Anuj Sharma emphasized a robust disaster management protocol, particularly the safety adherence concerning helicopter services and demanded the implementation of strict SOPs. Both leaders assured regular updates on health, traffic, and pilgrim safety would be prioritized.