With just days to go before the doors of the revered Kedarnath and Badrinath temples open, Uttarakhand Police has finalized preparations to ensure a secure and seamless Chardham Yatra 2025.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth confirmed that the security arrangements for the annual pilgrimage have reached their final stage, with all major components of the plan now in place.
“Preparations for the Chardham Yatra by the police department and all other departments had started long ago, and now we have reached the final stage. All our plans have come to fruition,” said DGP Seth. “The force has been deployed. About 6,000 policemen and 17 PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) companies will be stationed to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the Yatra.”
The DGP also highlighted the deployment of advanced surveillance measures across the pilgrimage route. “Around 90 CCTV cameras have been installed in the four Dhams, over 200 CCTV cameras are active along the Chardham route, and an additional 300 cameras are functional in Haridwar alone,” he said.
In addition to ground-level vigilance, drones will be used to constantly monitor the situation. Authorities will also keep a close watch on social media platforms to track potential disruptions or spread of misinformation.
In a separate development, Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh reported a major crackdown on adulterated food products ahead of the Yatra. Acting on the Chief Minister’s directive to ensure the quality and safety of food items supplied during the pilgrimage, Doon Police recovered a massive consignment of fake paneer.
“A total of 720 kg of fake paneer, which was brought in from Saharanpur and intended for supply during the Char Dham Yatra, has been seized. This gang had been active for quite some time, and our team has successfully tightened the grip around it,” said Singh.
Meanwhile, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has also stepped up its preparations for the sacred journey. The doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham will open on May 2, followed by the opening of Shri Badrinath Dham on May 4. The second Kedar, Shri Madmaheshwar temple, is scheduled to open on May 21, while the doors of the third Kedar, Tungnath ji, will open on May 2.
