Dehradun: Amidst an unprecedented surge in devotees visiting the revered Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhams, the Uttarakhand government has taken measures to ensure crowd management by deploying Yatra Magistrates at these sacred sites.

As per the official statement released by the Uttarakhand government, Ashok Kumar Pandey has been appointed at Badrinath, while Pankaj Kumar Upadhyay will oversee operations at Kedarnath Temple. Their duties, spanning from May 26 to June 6, primarily entail maintaining peace, order, and facilitating other arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the Yatra.

The ongoing Char Dham Yatra has witnessed an unprecedented influx of pilgrims to the Yamunotri and Gangotri Dhams within the first 15 days of the pilgrimage season. Notably, on Friday alone, 9,812 pilgrims visited Yamunotri Dham, while 13,602 made their way to Gangotri Dham. These figures indicate a remarkable surge in participation compared to previous years.

In 2023, during the same period, 1,97,413 pilgrims visited these holy sites, while the number stood at 2,22,852 in 2022. Despite the exponential growth, the Char Dham Yatra has been seamlessly conducted, thanks to meticulous planning and coordination by district authorities. District Magistrate Dr. Meherban Singh Bisht has played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the pilgrimage. During his visits along the Gangotri Yatra route, he emphasized the importance of stringent travel arrangements and emphasized the need for registration before travel to maintain organization and safety amidst the large crowds.

Efforts have been made to manage the surge in pilgrims and vehicles, ensuring an orderly journey to the Dhams. Holding points and one-way gates have been implemented to prevent congestion, while adjustments in stopping places and timings have streamlined traffic flow.

The Char Dham Yatra, spanning the sacred Hindu pilgrimage circuit of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, commenced on May 10 this year. Uttarkashi, home to Yamunotri and Gangotri, has witnessed a significant influx of pilgrims, drawn to the spiritual significance of these revered sites and the holy River Yamuna originating from the Yamunotri Glacier. As the pilgrimage season reaches its peak during the summers, Uttarakhand continues to welcome devotees for the Char Dham Yatra, upholding its tradition of spiritual reverence and divine devotion.

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