Dehradun: The Uttarakhand tourism department will soon initiate the process for the constitution of Uttarakhand Yatra Development Authority. The Authority will be tasked to ensure better management of the Char Dham Yatra which is a major source of livelihood for the people in the hills.
With the fast improvement in the infra-structure on the Char Dham route, the state has witnessed the arrival of pilgrims in a record number in the recent past. The construction of all-weather road, connecting the four shrines- Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, has made the Char Dham Yatra easy for the pilgrims.
Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj asked officials to complete the process
On Wednesday, tourism minister Satpal Maharaj held the meeting of the Tourism Development Board and directed them to immediately complete the process for the constitution of the Uttarakhand Yatra Development Authority. He underlined the need for constituting the Authority before the beginning of the Yatra season next year.
The Authority will be able to ensure better management of the Char Dham Yatra
While reviewing the functioning of the board, the minister said the constitution of the Authority is needed to improve the tourist facilities not only in the four shrines, but also at the important tourist sites across the hill state. He hoped that better arrangements will be made available for the pilgrims and tourists after the constitution of the Authority.
Focus on other projects
The minister Maharaj directed the officials to begin works on the projects like Nath circuit, Pandav circuit, Vivekanand circuit, and Ravindra Nath Tagore circuit, apart from developing Byunkhi village located in the high hills in Rudraprayag district. He also gave instructions to expedite the process for the integration of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). He asked the officials to send a proposal regarding the plan for the integration of the KMVN and the GMVN.
Site development of mythological temples is on the priority of the tourism department
He also gave focus on the site development of the mythological temples in the state. Referring to the plan for site development of the Manadamai temple of Rudraprayag district, he said his department will bring to the notice of the central government regarding alleged laxity on part of the ASI in the maintenance of protected temples.
