Breaking News: Over 16 Lakh Devotees Complete Char Dham Yatra Darshan

The Char Dham Yatra in Kedarnath Dham is witnessing a massive influx of pilgrims, with officials reporting over 16 lakh devotees having completed darshan across the four shrines so far. According to data shared, Yamunotri Dham recorded around 2.78 lakh visitors, Gangotri Dham around 2.77 lakh, Kedarnath Dham about 6.65 lakh, and Badrinath Dham nearly 4.28 lakh pilgrims. The government also stated that over 37 lakh pilgrims have registered for the yatra through online and offline modes. Authorities emphasized cleanliness and urged devotees to keep the pilgrimage sites clean as part of their responsibility. However, ground reports from ABP News correspondent Balram Pandey highlight a stark contrast between official claims and on-ground reality. He reported severe traffic congestion, with pilgrims stranded for 12–15 hours without food, water, or adequate administrative support on the route to Kedarnath. He also noted minimal visible police presence, raising concerns about crowd and traffic management. The situation has sparked criticism over the preparedness of the Pushkar Singh Dhami government, with questions being raised about whether the arrangements are sufficient to handle the heavy pilgrimage rush.