Date and time being announced for the opening of the four premier shrines of the State Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri things are unlike the previous years. This year, the portals of Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath shrines will open on May 9 while that of Badrinath will open on May 11. Earlier, the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines used to open on the same day while that of Kedarnath opened on another.
Astrologers believe that it is a good omen, signifying peace and prosperity for the State as well as the country.
Talking to The Pioneer, Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh said that they had stressed on better road and mobile connectivity. As the place where landslide continue and you make sure that no uneven road on way to char dham. “We have asked the officials to ensure proper sanitation facility and water supply on the way to the Char Dhams,” he said.
However, for the first time in the history of the State, Char Dham Yatra would begin under the President’s Rule. The officers are thus on their extra guard to ensure that things pass off as desired.
The political parties have, however, started their customary game of one-upmanship, either claiming credit for themselves or blaming the rivals for laggardness as far as preparations for the momentous pilgrimage is concerned. Ex- CM Harish Rawat claimed that he had made sure to put things in the right order much in advance while BJP says that things would be far better than the previous years with the State being under the President’s Rule.
The pilgrimage to celebrated Kedarnath left its somber shadows on the course of the political life of the State as the deluge June 2013 triggered a regime change the impact of which is still being felt on the political trajectory of the State.
As thousands of people either perished or went missing Vijay Bahuguna, then CM, had lost his chair in April 2014. This, despite the fact that while bearing the brunt of the catastrophe, he managed to resume the halted yatra in September 2013. Harish Rawat was sworn in as the CM on February 1, 2014.
Soon after taking up the reins of the State, Rawat plunged headlong into restructuring things in Kedarnath with a sort of missionary zeal. Enthused by things assuming near normalcy with the immense pains that Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) had taken, he was heard claiming many a time that the Char Dham Yatra was safe for all.
Rawat made it a point to be present himself at the portal opening ceremony. But this time, the State remaining under the shadows of the President’s Rule, Governor is in complete charge of things.
Earlier, the officials were a tad complacent while working under the pampering political dispensation. But now, they are wary lest they are found on the wrong side of things with the Governor keeping a hawk-eye on the preparations, now underway.