Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 via video conferencing. He sought updates on travel routes, traffic, health, and security arrangements from the District Magistrates of the districts associated with the pilgrimage and issued directives to ensure a safe, smooth, and well-organized journey for the pilgrims.
The Chief Minister stated that the safety and convenience of pilgrims are the top priority. He directed officials to continuously monitor weather and landslide conditions along the travel routes, maintain adequate security at vulnerable locations, and ensure better coordination among the concerned departments. He also instructed that arrangements for immediate relief and rescue be ensured in the event of any emergency.
To manage traffic pressure on the travel routes, the Chief Minister directed that necessary facilities at holding areas be kept well-organized. He emphasized that traffic management during the pilgrimage should be such that pilgrims do not face unnecessary inconvenience.
Observing the crowd and movement patterns at Yamunotri Dham, the Chief Minister issued directives to develop a second halting point for horses/mules approximately 500 meters before the shrine, to streamline *Dandi-Kandi* (palanquin and basket carrier) services, and to take necessary action regarding an alternative route from Kharsali. He also instructed that the movement of travelers and horses/mules on the pedestrian path be regulated and that effective crowd management be ensured in the Surya Kund area.
The Chief Minister ordered strict adherence to prescribed standards for the operation of horses and mules, regular health check-ups for the animals, and action against those violating the rules. Issuing instructions to exercise special caution in the Chirbasa and Bhairav Glacier areas of the Kedarnath pedestrian route, the Chief Minister directed that the movement of travelers, horses/mules, and *Dandi-Kandi* services be managed systematically at these sensitive locations and that arrangements for immediate rescue be ensured if needed. The Chief Minister directed officials to take necessary action for widening the Yamunotri pedestrian route and to accelerate the work of widening and repairing potholes on the Gangotri route. He also instructed that landslide-prone areas along the pilgrimage routes be continuously monitored and that special vigilance be maintained in the Syanachatti area. Furthermore, he directed that effective traffic management be ensured on the Jyotirmath-Marwari route and that necessary machinery be kept available for the quick clearance of any road blockages.
Considering the weather conditions at the four Dhams, the Chief Minister directed that necessary arrangements, including the provision of bonfires, be made for the pilgrims. He emphasized prioritizing health services—particularly on the routes to Shri Kedarnath and Shri Badrinath—and ensuring the adequate availability of doctors, paramedical staff, oxygen, and emergency medical facilities.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to maintain high standards of cleanliness along the pilgrimage routes and to ensure the proper disposal of horse and mule dung. He also directed that effective arrangements be maintained to ensure pilgrims have a smooth *darshan* (viewing of the deity).
To strengthen emergency communication in areas with poor mobile network coverage, the Chief Minister directed officials to coordinate with relevant departments and telecom companies to take necessary action. He also ordered that adequate facilities—such as toilets, drinking water, electricity, lighting, and shuttle services—be provided along the routes, alongside regular cleaning and surprise inspections of the toilets.
The Chief Minister directed that helicopter service tickets be made available only at prescribed rates. He stated that strict action should be taken if complaints regarding overcharging or unauthorized ticket sales are received. He emphasized that helicopter operations must prioritize pilgrim safety above all else, while also taking weather conditions into account.
The Chief Minister instructed all District Magistrates and concerned departments to ensure that the safety and convenience of pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra are not compromised at any level. He directed that pilgrimage routes and sensitive locations be continuously monitored and that immediate action be taken in the event of any problem. It was reported during the meeting that 6,607,749 pilgrims have registered for the Char Dham Yatra-2026 so far. As of 7 PM on September 14, 2026, 5,056,160 pilgrims have visited the shrines. This includes 708,407 pilgrims at Yamunotri, 789,773 at Gangotri, 1,498,544 at Shri Kedarnath, 1,736,619 at Shri Badrinath, and 322,817 at Shri Hemkund Sahib.
Senior officials from the government, administration, and concerned departments—including Chief Secretary Shri Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary Shri R.K. Sudhanshu, Principal Secretary Shri R. Meenakshi Sundaram, and Home Secretary Shri Shailesh Bagauli—were present at the meeting.
