SDC Foundation submits ‘Data Analysis of 100 Days – Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra 2024 Mid-Term Report’ to the Chief Secretary Radha Raturi
Dehradun
SDC Foundation has submitted its “Data Analysis of 100 Days – Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra 2024 Mid-Term Report” to the Chief Secretary. The Foundation had released this report to mark the completion of 100 days of the Char Dham Yatra. Anoop Nautiyal, the founder of SDC Foundation, met Chief Secretary Radha Raturi at the Secretariat to present the report. The Chief Secretary assured that the Char Dham report would be forwarded to the Tourism Department for further consideration.
The Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra in Uttarakhand began on May 10, with the portals of Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opening on that day, followed by Badrinath on May 12 and Hemkund Sahib on May 25. On August 17, the Yatra completed its 100 days, and SDC Foundation released its mid-term report based on data provided by the State Emergency Operations Center and various district Yatra control rooms.
According to the report, a total of 32,61,095 pilgrims visited the Char Dhams and Hemkund Sahib in the first 100 days. Of these, 60% i.e. 19,56,269 visited in the first 30 days while the balance 40% i.e. 13,04,826 pilgrims arrived in the remaining 70 days.
The report further revealed that among the Char Dhams, Kedarnath had the highest number of pilgrims, with 10,92,284 visitors, followed by Badrinath with 9,05,954. Gangotri had 5,98,723 pilgrims and Yamunotri 5,14,472. Hemkund Sahib saw 1,49,662 pilgrims during this period.
The report highlighted the number of deaths at the Dhams during this time. A total of 183 pilgrims lost their lives in the first 100 days, with the highest number, 89 in Kedarnath. Out of these, six deaths were due to natural disasters, while 83 were attributed to health issues. Badrinath saw 44 deaths, Yamunotri 31, Gangotri 15, and Hemkund Sahib 4, all due to health reasons.
According to Anoop Nautiyal, this year’s Char Dham Yatra was again marked by significant mismanagement and there was no attention given to the carrying capacity of the Dhams. This concern led SDC Foundation to prepare the report, with the aim of drawing attention to these issues and improving the management of the Yatra in the future.
During his meeting with the Chief Secretary, Anoop discussed the need to assess the carrying capacity of the Dhams and to limit the number of daily pilgrims to ensure better management. He also emphasized the importance of holding discussions with all stakeholders after this year’s Yatra to develop better operational plans for future Char Dham Yatras.
He expressed concern over several irregularities, including the breaking of pilgrimage records each year, which the state government considers an achievement, despite its harmful impact on the fragile Himalayan region. He also raised issues related to online/offline registration, helicopter services, aero safety, crowd management, solid and plastic waste management, health services, and landslide prevention measures.
Anoop described his meeting with the Chief Secretary as productive. The Chief Secretary assured him that the report would be shared with the relevant officials in the Tourism Department, and efforts would be made to improve the Char Dham Yatra management.
