PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Barring a brief drop in the number of people arriving in Uttarakhand to undertake the Char Dham Yatra, the pilgrim footfalls have started to rise again. The Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj said that the Char Dham Yatra is underway smoothly with pilgrims from across the country and abroad arriving in the State for the pilgrimage. The number of visitors arriving in various tourist spots in the State is also rising consistently, he averred.
According to sources, there was a drop in tourist and pilgrim footfalls for a few days due to the tensions between India and Pakistan which had affected air services in some parts of the country. Thousands of pilgrims arrive in Uttarakhand by air for the Char Dham Yatra and their numbers are bound to be affected if flights are affected even if for a few days.
Maharaj said that with the situation returning to normalcy with a pause in the conflict between India and Pakistan, a considerable enthusiasm is being witnessed in the pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra. People have once again started making their bookings following the ceasefire. This has also brought considerable relief to those in the tour and travel industry. The waiting list has also increased in trains plying from Prayagraj to Haridwar, and those plying to Rishikesh and Dehradun.
The minister further informed that about 29 lakh persons have registered for the Char Dham Yatra which started on April 30. About eight lakh people have visited the Char Dham so far. In addition to this, considering the bookings in the guest houses of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), it can be said a considerable number of people are making their way to the Char Dham. The GMVN has recorded bookings amounting to more than Rs 12.68 crore since the booking began in February this year.
The Tourism minister further said that 3,256 innerline permits have been issued so far for the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat Yatra which began on May 2. Further, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also slated to start on June 30 after a gap of five years. A total of 250 pilgrims will be able to undertake this Yatra this year which was last held in 2019 and then stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
