Uttarakhand: For the pleasant and comfortable journey of the devotees, facilities ranging from road transport to heli and horses and mules are available, more than 43 hundred horse-mule operators will provide service on the travel route – Dhami

The holy Chardham Yatra is going to start from Wednesday with the opening of the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri. Chardham Yatra also contributes significantly to the economy of Uttarakhand. The Yatra provides livelihood to hotel-lodge operators, transport businessmen and horse-mule operators. In the same sequence, this time more than 4300 horse-mule operators will provide their services on the Kedarnath and Yamunotri walking route.

Kedarnath – Registration of five thousand

To go to Kedarnath Dham, pilgrims have to cover a distance of about 18 km from Gaurikund. Due to this, a large number of passengers take the service of horses and mules. This time, 2493 operators have registered more than five thousand horses and mules for Kedarnath Dham. The Animal Husbandry Department has issued fitness certificates of horses and mules on the basis of health tests. Along with setting up veterinary hospitals in Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Lichauli and Kedarnath, the department has also appointed five doctors and seven paravets. Arrangements for hot water have also been made at 13 places on the walking route.

Yamunotri – 3700 registrations

More than 3700 horses and mules have been registered for Yamunotri Dham. A temporary veterinary hospital has been set up at Jankichatti for the examination, vaccination, medical assistance and treatment of the horses and mules used in the Yamunotri Yatra. Four veterinary doctors along with four livestock extension officers and two livestock assistants have been deployed here. A total of six geysers have been installed on the travel route.

Booking from pre-paid counter

Five pre-paid booking counters have been set up for Kedarnath at Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Bhimbali, Lichauli and Rudra Point. Similarly, a prepaid counter has been set up by the District Panchayat in Jankichatti for Yamunotri. Numbered jackets are being provided to horse-mule operators for Yamunotri and only one travel per day will be allowed to the Dham.

From road transport to helicopters and horse-mules, facilities are being provided to make the journey of the devotees pleasant and comfortable. Clear instructions have been given to the Animal Husbandry Department that only completely healthy horses and mules should be sent on the journey. Also, the health of horses and mules should be tested on the travel route.

Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand