*Chief Minister flagged off buses from Rishikesh to the Char Dham Yatra*
*Also conducted a site inspection of a free health camp*
*Government’s commitment to a smooth, safe, and well-organized journey – Chief Minister*
*Chief Minister urged to maintain cleanliness at religious sites and along the pilgrimage route*
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the inaugural ceremony of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 organized by the Joint Rotation Yatra Management Committee in Rishikesh on Saturday. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister flagged off buses to the Char Dham Yatra. He also inspected a free health camp set up for pilgrims.
Welcoming pilgrims from across the country to Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said that the Char Dham Yatra is a path of connecting faith, spiritual practice, and the soul. This journey gives the strength to overcome every difficulty. He said the government’s commitment is to ensure a smooth, safe, well-organized, and divine journey. The Char Dham Yatra provides spiritual peace and spiritual energy to millions of pilgrims.
The Chief Minister stated that with the blessings of Mother Ganga, the pilgrimage is setting new records every year. He stated that the state government is committed to a safe Chardham Yatra and is regularly reviewing the preparations for the pilgrimage. The government’s goal is to provide every devotee with security, respect, and a divine experience. Every devotee will take back with them golden memories of their time in Devbhoomi.
The Chief Minister urged all devotees to maintain exceptional cleanliness at religious sites and along the pilgrimage route. He stated that every particle of Uttarakhand is inhabited by God, and maintaining this purity is our collective responsibility. He stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government has set the goal of a Green Chardham Yatra and a plastic-free Kedarnath Dham this year. The government has ensured regular cleaning of the pilgrimage routes. Dustbins have been made mandatory in all vehicles. He stated that just as we keep our home temples clean and sacred, we must also keep Devbhoomi clean and sacred.
The Chief Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many historic initiatives are being undertaken to make the pilgrimage more accessible. The Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, built at a cost of ₹12,000 crore, was recently inaugurated, making travel easier and faster. Reconstruction work is underway at Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines. Facilities are also being rapidly expanded at Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib.
The Chief Minister stated that the All-Weather Road Project has facilitated travel routes. Under the Prime Minister’s guidance, work on ropeway projects from Gaurikund to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib is also progressing. He noted that the Chardham Yatra is the basis for the livelihood of millions of people. Therefore, local products, employment, and the economy are being promoted during the pilgrimage. He also urged pilgrims to purchase as many local products as possible.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal stated that the state government is working with utmost sensitivity to ensure the convenience, ease, and health of pilgrims. He urged pilgrims to review the government’s advisories. If necessary, come on the pilgrimage only after getting a health checkup done. He stated that a medical hospital is ready in Kedarnath. A 50-bed hospital will be ready in Badrinath by June. Adequate arrangements have been made for health facilities along the pilgrimage route.
Cabinet Minister Pradeep Batra stated that the Transport Department is continuously preparing for the upcoming pilgrimage. It is our duty to ensure a smooth and safe journey for every pilgrim visiting the state. He stated that this year, shuttle services have been introduced along single-lane roads and landslide zones along the pilgrimage route. A helpline number will also be made available for the movable shuttle service. Information will be provided by installing LEDs at various locations.
Present on this occasion were former Cabinet Minister and MLA Premchand Agarwal, Mayor Shambhu Paswan, President of the Hemkund Gurudwara Trust Narendrajit Bindra, Bhaskarananda Bhardwaj, Jitendra Negi, Ajay Singh, Manoj Dhyani, Sanjay Shastri, Bhopal Singh Negi, and others.