Haridwar gears up for Char Dham Yatra amid Baisakhi rush concerns

Haridwar: Authorities in Haridwar have stepped up preparations for the Char Dham Yatra, set to begin on April 19, even as concerns persist over crowd management ahead of the Baisakhi rush on Monday.To facilitate pilgrims, 20 counters have been set up at Rishikul Ground, where offline registration will begin on April 17. Officials said basic amenities such as toilets, drinking water and seating arrangements have been put in place.District tourism officer Sushil Nautiyal said, “Online registration for the yatra began on March 6, and over 15 lakh pilgrims have registered so far.”Mayor Kiran Jaissal said, “The number of sanitation workers, referred to as ‘paryavaran mitras’, has been increased from 600 to 700.” Supervisors have also been deployed across the city’s 60 wards to oversee arrangements.For better management, the mela area has been divided into 10 zones and 33 sectors, each under designated magistrates. District magistrate Mayur Dixit and SSP Navneet Singh said an elaborate traffic plan has been prepared and CCTV cameras installed at key locations.However, residents and stakeholders pointed to gaps in preparedness, especially with a surge in pilgrims expected during Baisakhi. They questioned claims of improved sanitation and infrastructure, citing inadequate parking, toilets and drinking water facilities.Saurabh Budhkar, priest of Ganga Mandir at Har-ki-Pauri, said, “Much remains to be done considering the large congregation expected. The Har-ki-Pauri and Subhash Ghat areas are overcrowded and unclean. Encroachments return soon after being removed. A major concern is the presence of beggars and petty thieves.”“Parking, clean toilets and drinking water facilities are lacking in many parts of the city. There are also limited affordable eating options for pilgrims,” said Brijendra Harsh, a resident.