Rush of devotees: Plan afoot to revive 70yo trek route to Yamunotri

Uttarkashi: To ease severe congestion on the Janaki Chatti–Yamunotri trekking route during the ongoing Char Dham yatra, the Uttarkashi district administration is working on a plan to revive an alternative route that has been dormant for nearly seven decades.The administration has requested a formal proposal from the Yamunotri Temple Committee. After the upcoming monsoon season, the Public Works Department will conduct a comprehensive survey of the historic Kharsali–Garudganga route.“The current Janaki Chatti–Yamunotri route sees massive crowds during the pilgrimage season, resulting in daily pedestrian traffic jams that last for several hours,” said Pradeep Uniyal, treasurer of Yamunotri Dham Temple Committee. “This extreme congestion also creates a constant safety risk for pilgrims.”Uniyal noted that the Kharsali–Garudganga route served as the primary pilgrimage path to Yamunotri Dham until 1968. However, after the newer Janaki Chatti route was constructed, foot traffic on the older trail gradually dried up until it stopped completely. Reviving it will distribute the crowd across two distinct paths to the shrine.District magistrate Prashant Arya said, “We have asked the Yamunotri Temple Committee for a proposal. Once the monsoon passes, the PWD will survey the area to begin reopening the trail. Additionally, we will undertake separate improvement works on the alternative route connecting Bhandeligad to Devdarshani.”Officials said three separate routes will be developed for different modes of travel: one for pedestrians, one for horses and mules, and one for Dandi and Kandi.To further streamline transit and prevent gridlock, officials said three separate routes will be developed for different modes of travel -- one for pedestrians, one for horses and mules, and one for palanquin (dandi and kandi).