Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami marked the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra on April 30, attending the opening ceremony at Shri Yamunotri Dham. This event signaled the start of the pilgrimage season as the doors of the holy shrine were opened to devotees.
In a conversation with the media, CM Dhami assured the public that the state government is diligently monitoring all aspects of the Yatra to ensure a smooth and safe experience for the pilgrims.
The Char Dham Yatra, a major religious event for Uttarakhand, has witnessed a significant rise in pilgrimage numbers, a result of the infrastructural improvements and development initiatives led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
CM Dhami addressed the challenges associated with the Yamunotri route, noting that it is more difficult compared to the other Dhams. He mentioned that the government is working on a comprehensive master plan to improve accessibility and ease the journey for pilgrims.
"We are monitoring the situation from every angle to ensure that the Char Dham Yatra pilgrims do not face any problems... The journey to Yamunotri Dham is slightly more challenging than that to the other Dhams. For this, we are working on making a master plan... Pilgrimage has increased significantly since 2014, following the work undertaken on all four Dhams under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Dhami said.
The Chief Minister also discussed ongoing efforts to manage the disaster at Yamuna Ghat, where a recent incident caused damage. He confirmed that large helicopters are being arranged to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the area.
"Due to a disaster on the Yamuna Ghat, arrangements for big helicopters are being made for the damage around the complex," Dhami added.
The Char Dham Yatra, which holds significant cultural and religious value for Uttarakhand's people, is underway with all preparations in place. "Char Dham Yatra has begun, the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri have opened. It is like a festival for the people of Uttarakhand. All the preparations have been done. We want the yatra to be safe, easy, and hassle-free. Various departments have made arrangements. We will be working to facilitate easy yatra for people," CM Dhami stated.
With the Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially starting, more than 22 lakh devotees have already registered at the Rishikesh Transit Camp, en route to their sacred destinations. The government has committed to ensuring that the pilgrimage remains a seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience for all visitors.