Chardham Yatra: Vehicle movement on mountains banned from 10 am to 4 pm
India | May 04, 2022, 07:01 AM ISTThe decision has been taken for the convenience and safe journey of the pilgrims on the Chardham Yatra.
The decision has been taken for the convenience and safe journey of the pilgrims on the Chardham Yatra.
A record number of pilgrims are likley to visit Char Dham this year as it is for the first time since 2019 that the yatra has begun without the Covid-induced restrictions in force.
The strategic 900-km-long Char Dham project worth Rs 12,000 crore aims to provide all-weather connectivity to four holy towns -- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath -- in Uttarakhand.
The strategic 900 kilometre-long Chardham project worth Rs 12,000 crore aims to widen roads and provide all-weather connectivity to four holy places -- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath -- in Uttarakhand.
The Centre told the apex court that if the Army cannot move its missile launchers, heavy machinery upto the northern Indo-China border, then how will it defend it and fight a war, if it breaks out.
"The problem is there is China which has fully developed its infrastructure, so tomorrow if we have to transport big trucks, machinery then it would need at least 10-metre wide roads otherwise we wouldn't be able to do it," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said.
According to the Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board, the helicopter service in Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri has become smooth and will resume in Joshimath and Pipalkoti soon.
Kedarnath and Badrinath-bound pilgrims have also been requested not to proceed on their journey till the weather clears. Most of the pilgrims on way to Badrinath are staying in Joshimath and Chamoli, Chamoli district disaster management officer N K Joshi said.
According to the court, the number of pilgrims to be allowed daily will be 800 for Kedarnath, 1000 for Badrinath, 600 for Gangotri and 400 for Yamunotri.
The fully air-conditioned train provides two types of accommodation--1st AC and 2nd AC. The train has enhanced security features of CCTV cameras and Security Guards for each coach.
The yatra remained suspended for months due to the pandemic in 2020 and opened in the month of June with a total of 3,21,609 devotees visiting temples during the entire season amid the Covid-induced restrictions.
The High Court had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over the state government's preparedness to deal with a possible third wave of COVID-19 and had hence, on June 28, put a stay on a state Cabinet's decision to open the yatra from July 1.
Uttarakhand Chief Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said the live streaming of the Chardham Yatra would not be held as it is not mentioned in the Vedas.
The state High Court on Monday had stayed the state Cabinet's decision permitting Char Dham yatra with a limited number of pilgrims and had also ordered live streaming of Char Dham shrines.
A fresh set of COVID guidelines issued by the Uttarakhand govt says that the Char Dham Yatra will commence from July 1.
Briefing reporters about the cabinet's decision, state government's spokesman Subodh Uniyal said Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri will be opened for residents of Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts respectively from July 1 with a cap on the number of pilgrims to visit the temples daily.
Dissatisfied with an affidavit filed by Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, the court said that the government has only stated that the Char Dham Yatra is barred till June 22 but there is no clarity if it will be carried out in a phased manner.
Uttarakhand government on Tuesday postponed its order to open the Chardham Yatra for people from three districts Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi.
The Uttarakhand government on Monday extended the Covid curfew in the state till June 22 but announced some important relaxations such as opening the Chardham yatra for locals on the condition of a negative RT-PCR test report.
The Uttarakhand government has decided to suspend the Char Dham Yatra this year in view of worsening Covid-19 situation.
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