Preparations for the Char Dham Yatra, beginning on 22nd April in Uttarakhand are going on in full swing. Now, the country’s first electric pilgrimage corridor is being developed on the 900 KM long Char Dham Yatra route, and charging points are also being made at every 30 KM for private electric vehicles. All the guest houses too, will have charging point facilities. Locations for EV charging stations have also been marked.
EVs are being promoted in order to reduce the negative impacts on the environment. This year, online registration has been made mandatory for the pilgrims. Registrations had begun on 21st February, and till 9th March, 4 lakh registrations have already been made. Entry will not be permitted without registration. Last year, record 55 lakh pilgrims had come to the state, out of whom the most had visited the Badrinath Dham. It is being expected that 80 lakh devotees will arrive this year.
During the Char Dham Yatra last year, 400 pilgrims had lost their lives in Kedarnath, therefore, this year, special medical facilities have been introduced. At every kilometre on the way of walking towards Kedarnath, a doctor and medical staff will be available at a medical post. Oxygen and other medical facilities will be available all day, and in case of an emergency, people can be airlifted from Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.
