Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday emphasized the goal of making this year's Char Dham Yatra an environment-friendly journey.
He announced the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the pilgrimage route.
"In line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this year the target has been set to organize the Char Dham Yatra as a green journey," said CM Dhami.
He added, "In this sequence, EV charging stations are being built on the Yatra route. This initiative will not only facilitate the journey of the devotees, but will also prove to be a meaningful step towards making Uttarakhand pollution free. The aim of the government is to give a new direction to environmental protection, responsible tourism and green tourism by promoting electric vehicles."
To support this eco-friendly pilgrimage, the state government has installed e-vehicle charging facilities at 25 locations. CM Dhami directed that the Char Dham Yatra be organized "on the theme of Green Yatra this year."
He further informed that about 38 e-vehicle charging stations are being set up on the route. "In this sequence, 38 e-vehicle charging stations are being developed on the Char Dham Yatra route with the cooperation of the Transport Department (28) and THDC (10)," he said.
Of these, 25 stations became operational at the start of the Yatra, allowing travelers to conveniently charge their e-vehicles.
Most of the charging stations have been established on Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) properties.
Universal chargers with a capacity of 60 kW, each having two 30 kW charging guns, have been installed at every station. GMVN Managing Director Vishal Mishra said, "E-charging stations have been set up at main stops to promote Green Char Dham Yatra, so that travelers can be encouraged to use electric vehicles."
In Rudraprayag district, charging stations have been installed at four GMVN guest houses managed by the tourism department.