Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced during a meeting at the Secretariat, Dehradun that pilgrims visiting the winter sojourn sites of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri will receive a 25% discount on rentals at GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) hotels. He directed officials to ensure all necessary arrangements are made for the winter pilgrimage. The Chief Minister also emphasized promoting the pilgrimage across various states through extensive publicity. He expressed confidence that the winter pilgrimage would serve as a game changer for the state’s economy. Additionally, he instructed the development of major sites near Panch Badri and Panch Kedar along with the winter sojourn locations.
In preparation for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, the Chief Minister directed district officials to submit a report within a week on challenges faced during the previous yatra and solutions for the same. He also emphasized the need for well-organized parking facilities near populated areas and hotels along the Char Dham routes. Highlighting the significance of the yatra as a matter of pride for the state, the Chief Minister reiterated the collective responsibility to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey for pilgrims.
The Chief Minister noted a significant increase in the number of pilgrims visiting Char Dham each year. He called for enhancing the carrying capacity of the sites and developing nearby historical and cultural sites with proper publicity. Special attention was directed toward improving roads, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, and other basic amenities along the routes. He also proposed work on an alternative route for visiting Yamunotri. For a streamlined yatra, he recommended stakeholder meetings at the administrative level and incorporating their suggestions into the management plan.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need to start preparations for the upcoming Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar. He directed efforts to make this grand event even more magnificent. Progress was urged on projects like the Ganga Corridor and Sharda Corridor. Additionally, work on alternative routes to sites like Purnagiri and Kainchi Dham should focus on facilitating pilgrims and preventing accidents with effective planning. Preparations for the upcoming Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra were also discussed, along with transport arrangements for Prayagraj Kumbh.
He also instructed officials to present Uttarakhand’s local products as gifts to visitors and dignitaries to promote “Vocal for Local.” This initiative aims to create a unique identity for local products at a broader level.
The meeting was attended by Infrastructure Monitoring Council Vice President Vishwas Dabar, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Additional Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, DGP Deepam Seth, and other senior officials. District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from Char Dham-related districts joined virtually.
