Religious tourism gets biometric touch

To keep a track of Char Dham Yatra devotees, the government of Uttarakhand has decided to issue biometric cards and also register the mobile numbers of pilgrims to provide timely weather forecasts.

The advance bookings in hotels, resorts and other accommodations have been far below the previous years. Tour operators have pointed out that advance bookings have dipped 15-20 per cent this year, Umakant Panwar, Tourism Secretary, Uttarakhand, has revealed. Thus, the state has now geared up to monitor the Char Dham yatra to revive the tourism industry in the region. “The number of pilgrims will increase as the yatra starts and we are optimistic that over 50 lakh devotees visit the state this season,” he said.

The number of pilgrims will increase as the yatra starts and we are optimistic that over 50 lakh devotees visit the state this season

Umakant Panwar Tourism Secretary

Uttarakhand

The travel agents need to plan the Kedarnath yatra for a longer time now. According to Panwar, the yatra might take one and a half, to two days, as the trek has become slightly longer now. “There is no limit to the number of people who will be coming to visit Kerdarnath. However, the flow beyond Guptkashi will be regulated as the shrine can accommodate not more than 500 people during the night.”

Going forward, the Uttarakhand Government has decided to keep a track of devotees visiting the state for the Char Dham yatra, by issuing biometric cards and registering their mobile numbers to provide timely weather forecasts. A total of 25 points have been identified, most of them in the Garhwal region, where biometric cards would be issued to pilgrims, reveals Panwar. “The pilgrims will have to swipe their biometric card en route, which will also help to keep a track of their location. With the help of Met department and the Telecom department, we will provide weather updates to pilgrims, so that they can plan their yatra,” he added. A dedicated control room for the Char Dham yatra will also be opened. Pilgrims and their relatives will be provided all the information and updates related to the yatra from the control room, which will be set up in the state capital. “A separate telephone line has already been allotted for the control room,” Panwar added. A mobile medical team will also be stationed at every 10-15 km along the route. Health camps will be set up in Guptkashi, Sonprayag and Gaurikund.

Special committees have been formed to monitor the yatra. Though there is no restriction on the number of pilgrims visiting Uttarakhand, the state government has granted permission to officials given charge for the Kedarnath yatra, to limit the numbers in emergency situations, he pointed out. Teams from the Uttarakhand tourism department have visited officials and informed them about the efforts made by the state government to ensure pilgrims’ safety.

“The work for repairing the route leading to the Dhams has been started and we are confident that it will be completed by April 30,” he stated. A taskforce has been constituted for construction of a new trekking path from Bheembali to Kedarnath.