CM Dhami: Complete All Arrangements a Week Before Char Dham Yatra for Safe and Smooth Pilgrimage
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed that all necessary arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra must be completed at least one week before the pilgrimage begins to ensure a **safe, smooth, and well-managed journey**. The CM emphasized that parking arrangements should be made in areas with nearby hotels, dharamshalas, homestays, and essential facilities. The **slot management system for darshan at the dhams should be further improved**, and CCTV cameras must be adequately installed in sensitive locations along the route.
Real-time monitoring of high-traffic areas was also stressed, along with updates on traffic conditions being shared on social media and other platforms. The Chief Minister instructed that parking site information should be integrated with Google Maps for easy access by pilgrims.
CM Dhami further said that last year’s traffic management challenges must not be repeated and that police should work with a better plan this year. He appealed to all pilgrims to **register before beginning their journey**, as registration is essential for their safety and convenience. This year, the registration system includes **60% online and 40% offline options**.
Coordination with all stakeholders along the yatra route should be maintained, and their suggestions must be seriously considered. Information about government preparations should also be shared with stakeholders. The CM also directed that **alternate routes** for the yatra be strengthened and temporary parking areas be developed with the cooperation of local residents.
To further aid pilgrims, **police help desks** will be set up along the route, drone surveillance will be implemented in disaster-prone and high-altitude areas, and essential disaster management equipment will be made available. Crash barriers should be installed where necessary, and **vehicle fitness must be thoroughly checked**. Adequate signage with necessary information should also be set up along the routes.
**DGP Ashok Kumar** provided a detailed update on preparations. Last year, approximately **48 lakh pilgrims** completed the yatra safely. This year, 50 police stations, 79 reporting police posts, 5,850 police personnel, and 38 seasonal checkpoints will be deployed. Three traffic management plans have been prepared to handle varying pressure and congestion levels.
A Char Dham Control Room has been established under IG Garhwal, headed by **SP Traffic Dehradun Lokjeet Singh**. A Char Dham Cell will also operate at police headquarters to oversee monitoring and control. The entire route has been divided into **15 super zones, 41 zones, and 137 sectors**. Plans have also been made to manage extended weekend travel.
The DGP added that **54 bottlenecks, 198 accident-prone spots, 49 black spots, and 66 landslide zones** have been identified. All necessary precautions will be taken before the yatra begins. This year, **17 new parking locations** have been identified, increasing the total to **130 sites**, capable of accommodating **43,416 small vehicles** and **7,855 large vehicles**.
Several senior officials were present at the meeting, including Infrastructure Monitoring Council Vice President Vishwas Dabar, Secretaries Shailesh Bagauli, Nitesh Jha, Sachin Kurve, Dr. B.V.R. Purushottam, Dr. Pankaj Pandey, Brijesh Kumar Sant, Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, ADG V. Murugesan, A.P. Anshuman, IG Rajeev Swaroop, IG Nilesh Anand Bharne, and others.
