Latest news with #Badrinath
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Amarnath Yatra: Pilgrims make beeline for registration in Jammu
Hundreds of pilgrims from all over the country flocked Jammu on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) as the administration started on-the-spot registration of devotees for the Amarnath yatra. The yatra to the 3,880-metre shrine in south Kashmir Himalyas will formally begin on July 3. The 38-day pilgrimage will commence from the twin tracks — the traditional 48-km long Nunwan-Pahalam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district — on Thursday (July 3, 2025). "On-the-spot registration has begun for devotees arriving in Jammu city from other parts of the country for their onward journey to Amarnath. This is being done after devotees are given tokens," Sub Divisional Magistrate Manu Hansa said. While on-the-spot registration centres have been set up for unregistered pilgrims in Shalimar area of the city, a special camp for registration of sadhus has been set up at the Purani Mandi-based Ram temple complex, officials said. "The registration is being done at three centres — Vaishnavi Dham, Panchayat Bhawan, and Mahajan Sabha. Saraswati Dham is the only centre from where devotees can get the token. The centres opened at 7 a.m.," he said. The registration of sadhus has begun at the Ram temple in Jammu, officials said, adding all arrangements have been put in place for them. Over 300 sadhus from various parts of the country have arrived at the Ram temple complex, which serves as the base camp for them, they said, adding boarding and lodging arrangements have been made for them here. Amid multi-tier security arrangements, over 1,600 pilgrims have arrived at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for their onward journey to Kashmir tomorrow, officials said. 'Arrangements have been made to provide boarding and lodging facilities for over 50,000 people at various lodgement centres across the Jammu region, from Lakhanpur to Banihal. A total of 106 lodgement centres have been set up for the purpose,' Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar told reporters here. Mr. Kumar said the yatra will commence from Jammu on July 2 and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will flag it off from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp amid tight security. 'The yatra will formally start from Kashmir on July 3,' he added. The enthusiasm among pilgrims arriving here for the yatra was palpable. Santokh Singh of Punjab, who checked into the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, said it is the ninth time that he is visiting the cave shrine. "I am happy to get my registration done. I will travel in the first batch from Jammu tomorrow for Amarnath and will be among the first to have darshan of the ice lingam," he said. Another pilgrim, Uma Shakla of Uttarakhand, expressed happiness over travelling in the first batch following her on-the-spot registration. "I am very happy that I am now going to pay obeisance at Amarnath in the first batch," she said. The sadhus have arrived here after completing the Char Dham Yatra to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath shrines in Uttarakhand. "I have got my registration done here. I am going to Amarnath for the 21st time. Every year I wait for this moment to have darshan of Baba Barfani ji," a sadhu said. A total of 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), which is 30 more than previous years, have been deployed for the security of the annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu division this year, a senior police officer said. One company has around 100 personnel. "The administration is ready and committed to ensuring a successful yatra this year. Jammu and Kashmir Police has made multi-tier security arrangements for the yatra," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Char Dham Yatra suspended for 24 hours amid heavy rain alert in Uttarakhand
NEW DELHI: The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been suspended for 24 hours due to heavy rainfall warnings, officials said. Pilgrims who have reached Rishikesh are being held there, while those who have moved further along the route are being stopped at safe locations. A red alert for heavy rainfall has been issued by the Meteorological Department for several districts in the state. The Char Dham Yatra, which includes visits to the sacred sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, attracts thousands of devotees each year.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
'What Did We Do Wrong': 10-Year-Boy After Losing Both Parents In Uttarakhand Bus Accident
Last Updated: At least four people were killed after a 31-seater bus carrying pilgrims plunged into the Alaknanda River in the Gholtir area of Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag on Thursday. After a devastating bus accident in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag on Thursday, a heartbreaking video emerged of a 10-year-old boy, who was seen sobbing by the roadside and pleading with Lord Badrinath after losing both parents. At least four people were killed after a 31-seater bus carrying pilgrims plunged into the Alaknanda River in the Gholtir area of Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag. Three deceased passengers were found on Thursday, while another missing pilgrim was found dead yesterday. At least eight people are still missing and rescue operations are still going on, according to police. Six teams, including SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, the police, a district team and fire brigade personnel, are constantly searching for the missing people, said Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman. The boy, identified as Parth Soni, was the son of Vishal Soni, 42, and Gauri Soni, 41, from Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh and the sole survivor from his immediate family in the accident, according to a report by the Times of India. 'Oh Badri-Vishal, what have you done? What did we do wrong? We were your devotees!" he cried loudly as rescue operations began near the Alaknanda River after the tragic accident. Parth had travelled with his parents to Uttarakhand for Char Dham yatra and was seated next to his mother when the accident happened. He has been in a state of shock since the tragedy, said his uncle Nilesh Soni. Vishal and Gauri's bodies were handed over to the family on Friday and will reach Rajgarh by Saturday for the final rites. Meanwhile, hopes of rescuing the other missing pilgrims are turning bleak due to violent currents and muddy waters through which not much can be seen, authorities said. Rescue teams are using rafts to locate the bus and other pilgrims. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the injured and their relatives at AIIMS, Rishikesh and assured them of all help from the government. 'We stand with the families of the victims of the accident with full sensitivity," he said. The injured driver of the vehicle, who hails from Kankhal in Haridwar, claimed the bus fell into the river after being hit by a truck coming from the opposite direction. There were 20 people, including the driver, on board the vehicle when it fell into the river, police said. (with agency inputs) First Published:
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
‘O God, why': Orphaned in U'khand crash, wailing boy's video moves internet, leaves many tearful
Dehradun: A heartbreaking video of 10-year-old Parth Soni sobbing by the roadside and pleading with Lord Badrinath after losing both his parents in a tragic bus accident has left many in tears. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Oh Badri-Vishal, what have you done? What did we do wrong? We were your devotees!" he cries in the clip, hands folded, eyes fixed on the Alaknanda river below. Parth, the only son of Vishal Soni, 42, and Gauri Soni, 41, from Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh, is the sole survivor from his immediate family in the accident on Thursday near Gholtir in Rudraprayag district, which claimed four lives while eight others are still missing. District disaster management officer NK Rajwar said chances of their survival are slim due to the river's strong currents. The fourth body, identified as 55-year-old Sanjay Soni from Udaipur, Rajasthan, was recovered on Friday by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel. Rudraprayag's district emergency operation centre (DEOC) said the body will be handed over to the family after legal formalities are completed. Steep terrain and powerful currents have hindered rescue efforts, with SDRF divers relying on rafts as diving remains too dangerous. The 31-seater bus was carrying 19 pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, all members of an extended family, when it collided with a speeding truck near a sharp bend on the Badrinath route, officials said. Parth had been seated next to his mother when the accident occurred. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Surrounded by strangers and far from home, he is still struggling to grasp the magnitude of what happened. "He has been in a state of shock since the incident," said Nilesh Soni, Parth's uncle and Vishal's brother. Parth had travelled with his parents to Uttarakhand for the Char Dham yatra, while his sisters, Tejaswini, 17, and Manaswini, 15, and 80-year-old grandmother Bhagirathi stayed back in Rajgarh. Relatives have gathered at the Soni household, where grief hangs heavy and conversations are hushed. Kamlesh Soni, Vishal's brother, along with two relatives and a sub-inspector from Rajgarh police station, travelled to Uttarakhand to bring back the bodies. They were handed over to the family on Friday afternoon, and are expected to reach Rajgarh by Saturday afternoon, after which the final rites will be performed. (With inputs from Karishma Kotwal in Indore)
NDTV
16-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
No Radars, Weather Updates Behind Rise In Uttarakhand Chopper Crashes
Sunday's chopper crash in Uttarakhand was the fifth helicopter accident in the last six weeks that has triggered outrage and concern among people and has sent officials scrambling for answers. Helicopter crashes or emergency landings are occurring at an alarming frequency on the Chardham yatra route in Uttarakhand. The Chardham yatra involves Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines. Social activist Anoop Nautiyal on Monday asked aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) to halt helicopter operations on the Chardham Yatra route for the entire pilgrimage season this year, urging the government to build an infrastructure suitable for safe flying in the challenging Himalayan terrain. "Since we have had five heli crashes in the past 6 weeks, why can't you simply put a complete stop on helicopter operations for this year's yatra season. This time should be utilised in preparing the much needed infrastructure for aero safety on the Char Dham Yatra route," Mr Nautiyal posted on X addressing the DGCA. He emphasised that the lives of pilots and pilgrims are at risk with "no Air Traffic Control (ATC), no radars and no real-time weather updates". Five adults, an infant and one crew member were on board the Aryan Aviation's Bell 407 helicopter operating in the "Shri Kedarnath Ji - Aryan Helipad, Guptkashi" sector that crashed on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement. The helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 05:10 am and landed at Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad at 05:18 am before departing again at 05:19 am for Guptkashi and is reported to have crashed near Gaurikund between 05:30 am and 05:45 am, the statement said. A case has been registered against helicopter service operating firm Aryan Aviation Private Ltd for alleged negligence in connection with the chopper crash which killed all seven people on board, including a two-year-old child and the pilot. The complaint states that Aryan Aviation was allotted the first slot from 6 am to 7 am for helicopter operations on June 15, while this accident happened before that at 5:30 am. The first flying slot opens at 6 am. Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami said it has been decided to set up a common "Command and Coordination Center" in Dehradun for better coordination and safe operation of helicopters. Here's a look at previous accidents: On May 8, a helicopter going to Gangotri Dham crashed in Uttarkashi district in which six people were killed. On June 7, a helicopter going to Kedarnath had to make an emergency landing on the road due to a technical fault soon after take-off in which the pilot was injured but the five devotees on board were rescued safely. On May 12, a helicopter returning from Badrinath to Sersi with pilgrims on board had to make an emergency landing in a school playground in Ukhimath due to poor visibility. All pilgrims were safe. On May 17, a heli ambulance from AIIMS Rishikesh crash-landed near the Kedarnath helipad in Uttarakhand due to damage to its rear part. Fortunately, all three occupants on board - a doctor, a pilot, and a medical staff member - escaped unharmed In contrast to last 14 years, 13 helicopter accidents have happened in the Kedarnath Valley in which 41 people have died. A helicopter operator, who previously ran a helicopter service in Kedarnath valley, pointed out that the companies providing helicopter services here keep the helicopter circling around Kedarnath without stopping, suggesting it as one of the reasons behind the rise in accidents. The operator did not wish to be named. The companies that provide service in the Kedarnath valley are given Shuttle Flying Slots every 10 days by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA). According to these shuttle flying slots, the aviation companies fly their helicopters in the Kedarnath valley and take the devotees for the visit and darshan of Kedarnath Dham. "The helicopter flights to Kedarnath are conducted as per DGCA norms i.e. SOP. An aviation company has permission to fly three times in an hour from Guptkashi and an aviation company flies four times in an hour from Phata and Sirsi," said UCADA CEO Sonika. The officer said that the ATC has a weather station in Kedarnath, the weather office IMD is also going to set up its station there and "we also have weather surveillance cameras", adding that weather is so unpredictable and the terrain so difficult that safety measures will have to be put in place. How many trips are helicopter companies allowed to make? The companies operate from three helipads in Kedarnath Dham. Helicopter services run from Guptkashi, Phata, Sirsi helipads. Nine aviation companies are providing services in Kedarnath valley and each company gets 7 to 8 hours flying slots. In this 8-hour slot, the helicopter gets 25 minutes for refuelling after every hour. Apart from this, each company has two pilots as per the time given to the company. If 8-hour flying slots are given, then one pilot will fly for 4 hours and the other for 4 hours. If 7-hour flying slots is given, then one pilot will fly for 3:30 hours and the other will fly for 3:30 hours. Apart from this, when the helicopter returns after completing the last flying slot, it is mandatory to have 100 litres of fuel in it, according to the DGCA rules. NDTV has learnt that an aviation company gets approximately 24 trips a day from Guptkashi, 32 trips a day from Phata and approximately 32 trips a day from Sirsi. According to the DGCA rules, 6 helicopters can fly at a time in Kedarnath valley. After the completion of the time of three helicopters, three more helicopters can fly, that is, 6 helicopters can fly regularly in Kedarnath valley at a time, in which 6 helicopters will fly towards Kedarnath and three helicopters will fly back from Kedarnath to Guptkashi Phata and Sirsi. A former helicopter operator told NDTV that Kedarnath valley is the most difficult flying zone for helicopters because the weather mostly turns bad from Rambada to Jungle Chatti or there is fog and clouds in the valley which make it difficult to fly the helicopter. Additionally, single engine helicopters fly here and they have to fly in the valley itself because the wind flows downwards from Kedarnath to Gauri Kund and Sonprayag. All the four dhams in Uttarakhand are in the Himalayan region above 3,000 meters, where the weather creates the biggest problem for the helicopters. What's the weight that helicopters can carry? The helicopters are not allowed to take off with a full tank. Also, the weight of passengers cannot exceed 380 kg and the luggage of each passenger should not be more than 2 kg. One of the major reasons for the accidents is that there is no Air Traffic Control System due to which there is a lot of difficulty in monitoring the helicopter service. Also, there is no weather office here so that information about bad weather can be immediately given to the helicopter pilots, which can help in preventing these accidents. "Officers of DGCA and other agencies will be permanently placed here. An integrated command control coordination and communication centre will be developed here," said Anand Vardhan, Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand.
