This year, the Chardham Yatra begins on April 19th. Today, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey held a meeting with officials from the hotel associations of the four Dhams, transporters, tour operators, and Dandi and Kandi businessmen at four transit camps to prepare for the Yatra. During the meeting, the organization officials made several suggestions to the Garhwal Commissioner. Hoteliers demanded the elimination of the limit on the number of pilgrims allowed at the Dhams and the establishment of a minimum registration fee for pilgrims.
Among the transporters, Jitendra Negi, President of the TGMOU, stated that during the Chardham Yatra, a large number of vehicles from other states arrive in Haridwar. These vehicles operate from a single location in Haridwar. These drivers charge exorbitant prices for passengers traveling to the Chardham, causing losses to local transport.
They demanded a ban on the registration of vehicles from outside states on care of the state. They informed the Garhwal Commissioner that 50 buses owned by an individual from another state are operating under contract with the Roadways. They demanded a ban on such transporters.
Naveen Ramola, former president of the Char Dham Yatra Rotation, said that the Irrigation Department constructed a road from Indramani Badoni Chowk to the transit camp on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River two years ago, but the road is now occupied by brick suppliers, truck stands, bus washing centers, and others. Due to the police’s inability to conduct verification campaigns and regular checking around the ISBT, batteries of buses parked in the parking lot are being stolen, causing financial losses to transporters. The Garhwal Commissioner directed IG Garhwal Rajiv Swaroop to take action in this regard
