Uttarakhand government postpones Char Dham yatra till further orders

The Uttarakhand government on Tuesday postponed the Char Dham yatra in compliance with the order of the High Court over fears of Covid situation.

The Uttarakhand government on Tuesday postponed the Char Dham yatra hours after it first announced to resume it from July 1. The government, in a revised order, postponed the decision with immediate effect until further orders in compliance with the order of the Uttarakhand High Court.

The development comes hours after the Uttarakhand government, despite the High Court’s order against holding Char Dham yatra this year, made a fresh announcement stating that the pilgrimage will begin from July 1. The government had also issued a fresh set of Covid guidelines making Covid negative reports mandatory for pilgrims.

The High Court on Monday had stayed the state Cabinet's decision permitting Char Dham yatra with a limited number of pilgrims and had also ordered live streaming of Char Dham shrines.

Earlier on June 25, the State Cabinet decided to partially open the Char Dham yatra for locals in limited numbers from July 1. Initially, it was decided, the yatra would be opened for residents of Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Rudraprayag districts with a cap on the number of pilgrims to visit the temples daily.

The four pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.

The Uttarakhand government had on Monday extended the Covid-19 lockdown for another six days, while also announcing a few relaxations for gyms and markets.

As per the revised orders, gyms and coaching centres will be allowed to function at 50% capacity.

Markets will be open on all days except Sunday. In Mussoorie and Nainital, however, markets will remain open on Sunday and closed on Tuesday.

Official Spokesperson Subodh Uniyal said that the coaching classes for school children will remain closed for the time being.

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