Char Dham Yatra crosses 35 lakh pilgrims, nearly 50 lakh registrations so far

The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is progressing smoothly with more than 3566 lakh pilgrims having completed their pilgrimage to the four revered shrines as of June 14 according to Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop reported ANIThe annual pilgrimage which attracts devotees from across India and abroad began in April and has witnessed a significant influx of visitors Officials said nearly 50 lakh devotees have registered for the yatra so far reflecting the continued popularity of one of the countrys most important religious journeysPilgrim footfall remains high despite easing of initial rushSpeaking about the ongoing yatra Swaroop told ANI that while the initial surge of pilgrims has moderated the pilgrimage continues to witness strong participationHe noted that more than 3566 lakh devotees had already visited the four shrines by June 14 According to officials the reduced crowd pressure compared to the opening weeks has allowed pilgrims to have darshan more comfortably contributing to the smooth conduct of the yatra reported ANIThe Char Dham Yatra covers four major Himalayan shrines mdash Kedarnath Badrinath Gangotri and Yamunotri mdash and is regarded as one of the most significant pilgrimages in HinduismAuthorities strengthen traffic and crowd management measuresSwaroop said district administrations have put extensive arrangements in place to manage the large number of pilgrims travelling along the Char Dham routesTo address traffic congestion and ensure orderly movement authorities have established 18 holding areas at key locations across the pilgrimage route These facilities have been equipped with essential amenities including drinking water sanitation facilities and food stalls for travellers reported ANIOfficials have also divided the pilgrimage areas into multiple sectors and zones with personnel deployed throughout the routes to monitor crowd movement and respond to issues in real timeWeather outlook expected to aid pilgrimage movementAccording to the Garhwal Commissioner current weather forecasts indicate favourable conditions for pilgrims over the coming daysHe said information received from the India Meteorological Department suggests there is no immediate likelihood of severe weather disruptions over the next three to four days providing relief to both pilgrims and authorities managing the yatra reported ANIGiven the challenging terrain and unpredictable mountain weather often associated with the pilgrimage favourable weather conditions are considered critical for maintaining smooth movement along the routesSurveillance systems deployed across yatra routesAuthorities have also strengthened monitoring mechanisms to enhance pilgrim safety during the yatraOfficials are using CCTV cameras and other surveillance systems to track conditions across the pilgrimage corridors Monitoring is being carried out from district headquarters to facilitate quicker responses to emergencies traffic issues and crowd management requirements reported ANIThe surveillance network forms part of broader efforts to ensure safe and efficient conduct of the pilgrimage seasonTransport department intensifies vehicle inspectionsMeanwhile the Uttarakhand Transport Department has continued enforcement drives along the Kedarnath Yatra route to ensure compliance with transport regulationsOn June 12 transport officials conducted inspections to verify vehicle permits passenger capacities and mandatory documentation Assistant Regional Transport Officer Dharmendra Singh Bisht said the department has been carrying out regular checks since the start of the pilgrimageAccording to Bisht authorities have issued 539 challans since April and collected approximately Rs 305 lakh in penalties In May alone officials issued 1140 challans and recovered around Rs 125 lakh through enforcement actionsHe urged pilgrims to travel cautiously remain patient during their journey and follow official guidelines particularly in view of the regions terrain and changing weather conditionsThe Char Dham Yatra formally commenced in April with religious ceremonies at various shrines including the ceremonial departure of the Panchmukhi palanquin of Lord Kedarnath from Omkareshwar Temple marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage seasonWith inputs from ANI