Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan held a meeting with the concerned departments and District Magistrates at the Secretariat on Wednesday regarding the Kedarnath reconstruction and Badrinath Master Plan. The Chief Secretary said that to ensure the smooth and organized conduct of the Char Dham Yatra, it is necessary to identify and resolve the practical problems encountered on the pilgrimage routes and during darshan (viewing of the deities) in Kedarnath and Badrinath. On this occasion, the Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of the Kedarnath reconstruction and Badrinath Master Plan works.
The Chief Secretary said that pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra should have a pleasant experience during their journey and until their return. We need to make preparations to this level. He said that when issuing darshan tokens to pilgrims, information about the current token number being served at the temple should be displayed. This arrangement should be mandatorily ensured for this year’s Char Dham Yatra. The estimated waiting time for darshan should also be informed to the pilgrim at the time of receiving the token. He also directed that arrangements for wheelchairs, golf carts, and all-terrain vehicles should be ensured for elderly and differently-abled pilgrims.
The Chief Secretary said that to ensure that pilgrims receive necessary and appropriate information during the journey, signage and QR code-based information boards should be installed at various locations. He said that a system of certified guides should be made available for all tourist destinations in the state. He directed the Tourism Department to prepare an action plan for the guide training program.
The Chief Secretary said that considering the possibility of increased pressure of pilgrims in the Kedarnath temple complex, Gaurikund, and Sonprayag after the operation of the Kedarnath रोपवे (ropeway), preparations should be made in advance. He also directed that possibilities for expanding the Kedarnath temple complex area and expanding parking and other facilities in Gaurikund and Sonprayag should be explored.
On this occasion, Secretary Dr. V. Shanmugam, Dhiraj Singh Garbyal, District Magistrate Rudraprayag Prateek Jain, and District Magistrate Chamoli Gaurav Kumar (via video conferencing), along with other senior officials, were present.
