To guarantee the safety and security of the upcoming Char Dham yatra, set to begin on May 10, the Uttarakhand police have stationed forces individually at all four Dhams along the yatra routes.
“We have deployed forces separately at all Char Dhams, especially during the Yatra. A seasonal police station is opened at Shree Badrinath Temple and a seasonal police station is opened at both Kedarnath Temple and Gangotri, Yamunotri and we have also deployed Home Guards separately there. Also, we are making arrangements for CCTV,” Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar told ANI.
The Uttarakhand DGP also urged pilgrims to exercise additional caution during the yatra, noting that many visitors from outside the region may lack experience in driving through mountainous terrain.
“The Transport department has made arrangements for test driving at various checkpoints and after checking, the vehicles will be sent further. But, it is not possible to conduct a driving test of every vehicle at the entry points in Rishikesh or any other place… So, I request all devotees to take safety precautions at their level,” Kumar further said.
Previously, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a meeting on Friday to assess the preparations for the 2024 Char Dham Yatra. In the meeting, CM Dhami instructed officials to guarantee adequate provisions for electricity, drinking water, and road maintenance along the travel routes during the Yatra.
He also stressed that security personnel assigned to Yatra duty should remain on high alert and ensure they receive rest every six hours. Accommodation arrangements for drivers participating in the Yatra were also deliberated during the meeting. The Char Dham Yatra, a pilgrimage to four sacred sites—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—is of immense significance to devotees. The journey commences from Yamunotri, proceeds to Gangotri, continues to Kedarnath, and culminates at Badrinath, following a clockwise direction. These high-altitude shrines typically remain closed for about six months annually, opening in summer (April or May) and closing with the arrival of winter (October or November).
According to tradition, completing the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction is believed to be auspicious. Therefore, the pilgrimage begins from Yamunotri, moves on to Gangotri, then to Kedarnath, and concludes at Badrinath. Pilgrims have the option to travel by road or by air, with helicopter services also accessible. Additionally, some devotees opt for a Do Dham Yatra, visiting two shrines—Kedarnath and Badrinath—as outlined on the Uttarakhand tourism official website.