The State authorities claim to have made all the necessary arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra set to start on Monday when the portals of Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines slated to be reopened to the public on Monday. The Kedarnath shrine will be reopened to the public at 7 AM on May 9 with authorities claiming to have made all necessary arrangements to facilitate a convenient and safe pilgrimage.
According to the information provided by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway number 58 is open for small and big vehicles up to Badrinath. As per the information relayed by the Uttarkashi district emergency operation centre, the Rishikesh-Gangotri national highway number 108 is open for small and large vehicles up to Gangotri whereas the Rishikesh-Yamunotri national highway number 94 is open for small and big vehicles up to Janakichatti.
The authorities further inform that the Rishikesh-Kedarnath national highway number 109 is open for small and large vehicles up to Sonprayag. From Sonprayag onwards, the bridle path to Kedarnath is also open. light rain was being reported from Kedarnath on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the managing director of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) C Ravishankar said that the corporation has made various arrangements to facilitate a secure and convenient pilgrimage experience for the Char Dham pilgrims.
A helicopter service from Guptkashi to Kedarnath will also be started on Monday apart from which chopper service will also be provided for the Char Dham circuit. He said that the corporation had co-ordinated with established travel against around the country to ensure good bookings for the Char Dham Yatra, for which the corporation had made advance bookings for at least 257 package tours.
It is pertinent to mention here that though the authorities have put in place a photometric registration system for pilgrims undertaking Char Dham Yatra as in the previous year, apprehension is also being expressed by some quarters considering the recent weather changes.
The officials claim that apart from deployment of personnel of the State Disaster Response Force and other agencies, mechanical excavators had also been posted in identified locations in order to facilitate swift clearing of the road in case of landslide debris blocking the road to traffic.
It should be mentioned here that batches of pilgrims have already left for Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri which will be reopened to the public on Monday.