Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami on Tuesday reviewed the arrangements for the ongoing Char Dham Yatra. The review covered the provision of drinking water, electricity supply at makeshift tents, and measures to prevent forest fires in the state. The meeting, held at the secretariat, included the chief secretary and other senior officials.
The chief minister instructed his team to remain vigilant at all times and emphasized the importance of coordinating with officials to ensure a pleasant and safe journey for pilgrims. He stated that the government’s goal is to provide all necessary facilities for devotees visiting Devbhoomi. Chairing the review meeting, the CM highlighted that the Char Dham Yatra significantly boosts the state’s economy, noting the increasing number of devotees and pilgrims each year, “it is incumbent on all of us to cooperate in making the journey smooth and simple”.
“Continuous efforts are being made by the state government to bring further improvements to arrangements for the benefit of pilgrims,” the CM said, adding that the administrations of all districts along the Char Dham Yatra routes should work in coordination to enhance travel arrangements.
The CM reiterated that any necessary arrangements requested by the district administration for the benefit of Char Dham pilgrims should be prioritized. Special attention should be given to crowd management for the Yatra, ensuring that the number of devotees visiting the four Dhams is regulated.
For devotees entering Uttarakhand without proper registration and wishing to visit other religious and tourist destinations in the state, efforts should be made to ensure they reach their intended destinations. The CM directed officers to obtain timely feedback from devotees to address any shortcomings promptly.
Considering the onset of summer, the CM stressed the importance of ensuring adequate drinking water arrangements for the devotees. Senior officials responsible for drinking water should conduct field inspections to check on these arrangements. In areas with water shortages, tankers and other methods should be employed to provide water.
To ensure sufficient power supply during the intense summer, the CM instructed the three power utilities—UPCL, UJVNL, and Pitkul—to work in coordination to meet the state’s power requirements.
The CM also emphasized the importance of public awareness to prevent forest fires and encouraged the support of locals in this effort. Secretaries have been assigned to different districts to oversee forest fire prevention. They should conduct regular on-site inspections and be prepared to take immediate and effective measures to prevent fires. Strict action should be taken against those responsible for causing forest fires, and response times should be minimized.
Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Secretary and Commissioner Garhwal Vinay Shankar Pandey, and Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari, among other officials, attended the meeting.
