Union home secy to review Char Dham Yatra preparedness

Dehradun: With the Char Dham Yatra set to begin on April 19, Union home secretary Govind Mohan will chair a high-level review meeting via video conference on April 15 to assess preparedness and safety arrangements for the annual pilgrimage.Officials said disaster preparedness will be a key focus area, given the region’s vulnerability to landslides, flash floods and extreme weather events. The meeting is expected to review real-time weather monitoring systems, forecasting capabilities, and the effectiveness of early warning mechanisms along the yatra routes.Pilgrim safety and security will also be high on the agenda, with discussions likely on the deployment of forces, surveillance measures, and coordination among agencies. State authorities will also brief him on proposed traffic arrangements and crowd and queue management strategies to handle the anticipated surge in footfall during the peak season.Mohan is also expected to review arrangements for heli-service operations along the Char Dham circuit. Officials said compliance with SOPs, framed last year following a series of helicopter-related accidents, will be examined to ensure adherence to safety norms.Senior officials from the state government, disaster management authorities, and central agencies are likely to participate in the meeting. Sources said emphasis will be laid on coordinated planning, quick response mechanisms, and minimising risks in sensitive stretches.“The Union home secretary will undertake a comprehensive review of preparedness for the Char Dham Yatra. All concerned departments have been directed to submit their detailed preparedness plans,” a senior state government official told TOI.The review comes amid heightened focus on safety following recent incidents and increasing pilgrim numbers each year. Authorities aim to ensure a smooth and incident-free yatra through improved preparedness, monitoring, and inter-agency coordination.The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples will open on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. The Kedarnath shrine will open on April 22, followed by Badrinath on April 23.Ends