Uttarakhand government ensures seamless and safe Char Dham Yatra 2025 with extensive healthcare measures

The Uttarakhand government is fully committed and proactive regarding the Char Dham Yatra 2025 that commences on April 30. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the safety, health, and convenience of pilgrims are being prioritized at the highest level.

In this regard, the Health Department has initiated extensive preparatory measures at the grassroots level. The dedicated efforts of the government and the department will play a pivotal role in ensuring that this year's Char Dham Yatra is not only secure but also seamless and well-organized.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhansingh Rawat, Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar is actively working to enhance healthcare services along the Char Dham Yatra route.

Extensive arrangements are being made at the ground level, while a modern, well-organized, and accessible healthcare infrastructure is being established along the entire route in collaboration with experts.

The government's primary goal is to ensure that every pilgrim completes their spiritual journey in a secure and healthy way, with reliable and easily accessible health services at each stage.

In addition to ensuring that all permanent and temporary medical units are fully stocked with essential medicines, equipment, and trained personnel, a detailed health advisory will be available in 13 languages via QR codes at hotels, restaurants, and parking areas. Health awareness will also be raised through strategically placed hoardings in areas prone to congestion and at major stops.

At Kedarnath, a 17-bed facility is nearing completion with two floors to be operational before the Yatra begins. Besides the regular services, it will also have specialist orthopaedic services.

At Phata, near Kedarnath, 12 medical units have been set up along the way. Located 32 kilometres from Kedarnath, it has an open area for landing choppers during the Yatra. There will be screening teams at 12 designated areas around the helipads and parking areas.

At Chamoli, which is en route to Badrinath, 20 medical units will become operational in addition to four major screening points at Gochhar Barrier, Pandukeshwar Bazaar, Trauma Center Karnapraya, and Panduwakhal (Gairsain). Duty schedules for medical staff have already been confirmed.

For the Gangotri-Yamunotri route, all medical units are in place and staff deployment will start on April 28. Ambulances will be positioned all along the route. Check-ups will be mandatory for pilgrims over 50 years.

As regards deployment of medical personnel, specialist doctors from other districts will be deployed on 15-day rotations. There will be a Central government appointee for Badrinath/Joshimath. Support infrastructure includes 121 staff nurses, 26 pharmacists, 309 oxygen beds, six ICU beds, 13 departmental ambulances, 17 1 ambulances, one blood bank and two blood storage units.

In addition to three existing medical relief posts (MRPs), five new ones are being set up in Gochhar, Nangsu, Mandal, Katora and Hanumanchatti.

In addition, food safety measures have also been put in place. There will be regular quality checks of food items along the Yatra route. A mobile food safety van will be deployed for continuous inspection and on-spot testing.