RISHIKESH: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday flagged off the first fleet of buses for the “Rishikesh to Char Dham Yatra 2025” during a special launch event organized by the Joint Rotation Yatra Management Committee at ISBT, Rishikesh. Ten buses carrying pilgrims were ceremonially flagged off as the yatra officially commenced.
Welcoming the pilgrims, CM Dhami extended his best wishes for a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey. He offered prayers to Baba Kedar, Badrivishal, Maa Gangotri, and Maa Yamunotri for the well-being of all devotees and expressed confidence that this year’s pilgrimage would surpass all previous records in participation.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to a smooth and secure yatra, the Chief Minister said that preparations are being closely monitored at every level. He emphasized the goal of ensuring that pilgrims return with cherished memories and a sense of spiritual fulfillment from their time in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.
Dhami highlighted the economic and cultural importance of the yatra, noting that lakhs of pilgrims from across India and abroad visit Uttarakhand every year, creating numerous employment opportunities for locals. He added that every effort has been made to provide all necessary facilities to the devotees.
Making a special appeal, the Chief Minister urged all visitors to maintain the sanctity and cleanliness of the holy land. “Let us all contribute to keeping Devbhoomi sacred and clean,” he said, stressing the importance of a green and hygienic pilgrimage experience.
He also spoke about the transformative infrastructure developments under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the ongoing reconstruction in Kedarnath and the master plan for Badrinath. The upcoming Gaurikund-Kedarnath ropeway project, he said, will significantly ease travel, while the all-weather road has already reduced travel time from Rishikesh to the Char Dham shrines.
CM Dhami lauded the Joint Rotation Yatra Management Committee for their continued support in facilitating the smooth operation of the yatra.
Among those present were Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, MLA Premchand Agarwal, Rishikesh Mayor Shambhu Paswan, GMOU President Bhaskaranand Bhardwaj, TGMOC President Jitendra Singh Negi, Garhwal Mandal Contract President Sanjay Shastri, Secretary Devendra Singh Rawat, Nandan Singh Rawat, Ramesh Chandra Upreti, Harshvardhan Singh Krishna, and numerous devotees from various parts of the country.
