Dehradun - The Chardham Yatra, a pilgrimage to the divine abodes of Shri Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, is set to become smoother and more environmentally friendly. This year, the yatra will not only offer a spiritual journey but also promote environmental protection and cleanliness.

To reduce pollution and promote sustainability, electric vehicles will now ply on the Chardham Yatra route in Uttarakhand. RTO Sunil Sharma announced that electric vehicles, both commercial and private, are encouraged for the pilgrimage. Charging stations will be available along the route, accessible through a dedicated app. This shift towards electric vehicles comes after concerns were raised in a meeting of the Divisional Transport Authority in February 2018 regarding rising pollution levels from vehicles.

Preparations for the world-famous Chardham Yatra have begun with full force, scheduled to commence on May 10. The health department has made arrangements to provide better health facilities to pilgrims, especially the elderly. The yatra is expected to attract devotees from across the country and the world, highlighting the importance of safe and sustainable travel.

Before the yatra commences, the state government is establishing electric vehicle charging stations every thirty kilometers along the route. These stations will cater to electric cars and buses, ensuring a hassle-free journey. Previously, the lack of charging points deterred electric vehicle owners and drivers from traveling long distances, but with these new stations, the journey to Chardham will be more convenient.

A state-level control room for the Chardham Yatra is operational at the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council Headquarters from 7 am to 10 pm daily throughout the yatra period.

So far, 1,566,867 devotees have registered for the Chardham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib, with a significant number of registrations for each of the four Dhams and Hemkund Sahib.