Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said that despite the tragedy, the second phase of the Char Dham Yatra is progressing well. CM Dhami said that this year the figure of 46 lakh devotees in Uttarakhand has been crossed and 16 lakh devotees visited Kedarnath. Uttarakhand CM Dhami said that there were many disasters this year, but despite this, the second phase of the Yatra is progressing very well. We have already crossed the figure of 46 lakh devotees this year and the number of devotees visiting Kedarnath has reached 16 lakh. There are still many days left in the journey. I am confident that devotees will come in large numbers. We are trying to ensure that their journey is safe and pleasant.
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This year, Char Dham Yatra started with the opening of the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples on 30 April. The doors of Kedarnath Dham opened on 2nd May and after that the doors of Badrinath Dham opened on 4th May. However, heavy rainfall, cloud bursts and landslides during monsoon severely disrupted the pilgrimage. Dharali, an important stop on the way to Gangotri Dham, was badly damaged due to natural disasters. Due to damaged roads, the journey to Gangotri and Yamunotri had to be temporarily postponed. Even after the rains stopped, resuming the journey was a big challenge.
However, administrative teams are working on a war footing to restore normalcy and reopen travel routes. Pilgrimages to both Gangotri and Yamunotri have resumed with strict security measures. Officials are constantly urging devotees to remain alert. Pilgrims are being repeatedly advised to avoid traveling in bad weather and take shelter in safe places if they are en route.
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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed all district officials associated with the Char Dham Yatra to give priority to the safety of pilgrims and local residents. He has also directed that all necessary facilities and security arrangements should be properly maintained on the routes. All officials have been put on high alert to ensure immediate relief and rescue operations in case of any emergency.