Latest news with #KedarnathYatra
India Gazette
6 days ago
- General
- India Gazette
Congress leader Harish Rawat slams state administration over Rudraprayag bus incident
Nainital (Uttarakhand) [India], June 26 (ANI): Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Thursday criticised the state administration for failing to learn from previous incidents after a tragic bus accident in Rudraprayag left several dead and injured. Speaking to ANI, Harish Rawat said, 'Such incidents happened last year too. It seems that our system is not learning from them. The state's prestige is linked to this yatra. We should consider that even a small mistake or policy error of the administration tarnishes the state's prestige.' At least three people were killed and eight others injured when a bus carrying 20 passengers collided with another bus and plunged into the Alaknanda River near the Gholthir area of Rudraprayag district during early hours today, officials said. Uttarakhand Secretary for Disaster Management, Vinod Kumar Suman, confirmed the incident and said rescue operations were ongoing. 'There were 20 passengers in the bus that swept away in the river in the Gholthir area of Rudraprayag district. We were able to save 8 people, 3 people died, the rest are being searched,' he told ANI. He further added, 'Among the passengers were a driver from Haridwar, 7 people from Rajasthan, 3 people from Madhya Pradesh, 7 people from Gujarat and 2 people from Maharashtra.' Rescue teams from SDRF, NDRF, and DDRF, along with the district administration, immediately rushed to the scene. Local residents also helped in the rescue operation. Some passengers jumped from the bus before it fell into the river and were rescued and taken to the district hospital. Critically injured victims were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh. Meanwhile, due to continuous rainfall disrupting the Sonprayag-Munkatia route on the Kedarnath Yatra path, the Rudraprayag district administration safely evacuated 1,269 pilgrims--833 men and 436 women. 'Successful rescue of 1269 pilgrims on the Kedarnath route. Due to continuous rainfall disrupting the Sonprayag-Munkatia route, the Rudraprayag administration prioritised pilgrim safety and evacuated 833 male and 436 female devotees with the assistance of SDRF, NDRF, and DDRF. Efforts are ongoing to restore the route,' the Rudraprayag District Administration posted on X. The bus involved in the accident was travelling from Rudraprayag to Badrinath when it lost control near a sharp turn and fell approximately 300 meters into the river. Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the incident. 'The news of a tempo traveller falling into a river in Rudraprayag district is deeply tragic. Relief and rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing by SDRF and other rescue teams. I am in constant contact with the local administration regarding this matter. I pray to God for everyone's safety,' CM Dhami said in a post on X. The SDRF has also launched a search operation near the Srinagar Garhwal dam, about 40 kilometres from the crash site, as strong river currents may have carried the victims downstream. (ANI)
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami meets Padma Bhushan awardee Anil Joshi
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 23 (ANI): Padma Bhushan awardee, eminent environmentalist and founder of HESCO, Anil Joshi, on Monday met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence The Chief Minister said that on this occasion, he had a meaningful discussion with him on important topics like environmental protection, green development, and the implementation of GEP in the state. Meanwhile, on Sunday, the CM said that the ongoing Kedarnath Yatra had become a confluence of the remarkable synergy between spiritual devotion and development in the state. Taking to X, CM Dhami announced that in a span of just 48 days, more than 11.4 lakh devotees have paid their respects at the revered Kedarnath shrine.' Describing the pilgrimage as 'a wonderful confluence of development with faith,' the Chief Minister said the surge in footfall has not only strengthened Uttarakhand's spiritual landscape but also significantly boosted its local economy. 'This is not just a pilgrimage but has become a symbol of Uttarakhand's economic, cultural and spiritual prosperity. Hail Baba Kedar!' he said, sharing updates using the hashtag #CharDhamYatra2025. The annual Char Dham Yatra, which includes pilgrimages to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, is one of the most significant religious journeys in Hinduism. The state government has undertaken a series of infrastructure upgrades in recent years--including improved roads, helicopter services, and better accommodation--to ensure a safer and smoother pilgrimage experience for devotees. This year, the Kedarnath Dham has seen an unprecedented inflow of pilgrims, which officials attribute to both improved facilities and increasing spiritual interest. Authorities have also deployed enhanced security and medical response teams to manage the high-altitude yatra effectively. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located at an altitude of over 11,000 feet in the Himalayas and holds immense religious significance. The Kedarnath Yatra doors for the year 2025 were opened for devotees on May 2. According to an official release, local hotels, restaurants, traders, and small businesses like horse-mule, heli, and dandi-kandi services collectively did business of about three billion. (ANI)
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Confluence of faith, development: Uttarakhand CM Dhami as Kedarnath Yatra witnesses 11.4 lakh pilgrims till June 18
Image: ANI RUDRAPRAYAG: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday said that the ongoing Kedarnath Dham Yatra has become a confluence of the remarkable synergy between spiritual devotion and development in the state. Taking to X, CM Dhami announced that in a span of just 48 days, more than 11.4 lakh devotees have paid their respects at the revered Kedarnath shrine." Describing the pilgrimage as "a wonderful confluence of development with faith," the Chief Minister said the surge in footfall has not only strengthened Uttarakhand's spiritual landscape but also significantly boosted its local economy. "This is not just a pilgrimage but has become a symbol of Uttarakhand's economic, cultural and spiritual prosperity. Hail Baba Kedar!" he said, sharing updates using the hashtag #CharDhamYatra2025. The annual Char Dham Yatra, which includes pilgrimages to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, is one of the most significant religious journeys in Hinduism. The state government has undertaken a series of infrastructure upgrades in recent years--including improved roads, helicopter services, and better accommodation--to ensure a safer and smoother pilgrimage experience for devotees. This year, the Kedarnath Dham has seen an unprecedented inflow of pilgrims, which officials attribute to both improved facilities and increasing spiritual interest. Authorities have also deployed enhanced security and medical response teams to manage the high-altitude yatra effectively. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located at an altitude of over 11,000 feet in the Himalayas and holds immense religious significance. The Kedarnath Yatra doors for the year 2025 were opened for devotees on May 2. According to an official release, local hotels, restaurants, traders, and small businesses like horse-mule, heli, and dandi-kandi services collectively did business of about three billion. The local traders, women self-help groups, taxi operators, and people associated with any kind of business are getting full benefits of the pilgrimage, it added. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ashish Rawat said, "Till June 18, 2,27,614 pilgrims have reached for darshan through horses and mules, which has generated an income of Rs 66 crore 73 lakh 90 thousand 350."He also mentioned that this year, about 8,000 horses and mules are registered. Due to the infectious disease equine influenza virus, horse-mule operations were also affected for a few days. The heli services play a very important role in the Kedarnath Yatra, as they give devotees who are unable to walk to complete the Yatra an opportunity. This service also generates income. Emphasising this, District Tourism Officer and Nodal Heli Service official Rahul Chaubey said that this year eight heli companies are operating from nine helipads. Till June 18, 49,247 devotees have reached Baba Kedarnath Dham through heli services, which has generated an income of about Rs 60 crore, he added. Chaubey also appealed to devotees to book heli services only through the official website of IRCTC. The operation of dandi-kandi, which is considered safer for small children, has also generated Rs 2 crore till June 18, the press release mentioned. This includes challans and fines of Rs 4,17,000 imposed on various establishments for spreading dirt and violating other rules, it added. Additional Chief Officer of District Panchayat Rudraprayag, Sanjay Kumar, also highlighted that more than 7,000 dandi-kandi operators are registered for this year's Yatra. Assistant Transport Officer of Rudraprayag, Kulwant Singh Chauhan, said that this year, 225 vehicles are registered for the shuttle service in the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra, the release mentioned. Till June 18, the taxi operators have earned around Rs 11 crore 40 thousand through the shuttle services.
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- India Gazette
"Confluence of faith, development": Uttarakhand CM Dhami as Kedarnath Yatra witnesses 11.4 lakh pilgrims till June 18
Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) [India], June 23 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday said that the ongoing Kedarnath Dham Yatra has become a confluence of the remarkable synergy between spiritual devotion and development in the state. Taking to X, CM Dhami announced that in a span of just 48 days, more than 11.4 lakh devotees have paid their respects at the revered Kedarnath shrine.' Describing the pilgrimage as 'a wonderful confluence of development with faith,' the Chief Minister said the surge in footfall has not only strengthened Uttarakhand's spiritual landscape but also significantly boosted its local economy. 'This is not just a pilgrimage but has become a symbol of Uttarakhand's economic, cultural and spiritual prosperity. Hail Baba Kedar!' he said, sharing updates using the hashtag #CharDhamYatra2025. The annual Char Dham Yatra, which includes pilgrimages to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, is one of the most significant religious journeys in Hinduism. The state government has undertaken a series of infrastructure upgrades in recent years--including improved roads, helicopter services, and better accommodation--to ensure a safer and smoother pilgrimage experience for devotees. This year, the Kedarnath Dham has seen an unprecedented inflow of pilgrims, which officials attribute to both improved facilities and increasing spiritual interest. Authorities have also deployed enhanced security and medical response teams to manage the high-altitude yatra effectively. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located at an altitude of over 11,000 feet in the Himalayas and holds immense religious significance. The Kedarnath Yatra doors for the year 2025 were opened for devotees on May 2. According to an official release, local hotels, restaurants, traders, and small businesses like horse-mule, heli, and dandi-kandi services collectively did business of about three billion. The local traders, women self-help groups, taxi operators, and people associated with any kind of business are getting full benefits of the pilgrimage, it added. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ashish Rawat said, 'Till June 18, 2,27,614 pilgrims have reached for darshan through horses and mules, which has generated an income of Rs 66 crore 73 lakh 90 thousand 350.'He also mentioned that this year, about 8,000 horses and mules are registered. Due to the infectious disease equine influenza virus, horse-mule operations were also affected for a few days. The heli services play a very important role in the Kedarnath Yatra, as they give devotees who are unable to walk to complete the Yatra an opportunity. This service also generates income. Emphasising this, District Tourism Officer and Nodal Heli Service official Rahul Chaubey said that this year eight heli companies are operating from nine helipads. Till June 18, 49,247 devotees have reached Baba Kedarnath Dham through heli services, which has generated an income of about Rs 60 crore, he added. Chaubey also appealed to devotees to book heli services only through the official website of operation of dandi-kandi, which is considered safer for small children, has also generated Rs 2 crore till June 18, the press release includes challans and fines of Rs 4,17,000 imposed on various establishments for spreading dirt and violating other rules, it added. Additional Chief Officer of District Panchayat Rudraprayag, Sanjay Kumar, also highlighted that more than 7,000 dandi-kandi operators are registered for this year's Yatra. Assistant Transport Officer of Rudraprayag, Kulwant Singh Chauhan, said that this year, 225 vehicles are registered for the shuttle service in the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra, the release mentioned. Till June 18, the taxi operators have earned around Rs 11 crore 40 thousand through the shuttle services. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Couple seen in intimate act through Jaipur 5-star hotel window, causing traffic chaos outside
A video shot from a public road outside a five-star hotel in Jaipur has gone viral, sparking concerns about privacy violations and voyeurism. The footage, captured from a flyover near the Holiday Inn hotel in the 22 Godown area, shows a couple in an intimate moment inside their hotel room, visibly through large uncovered windows. According to multiple media reports, the incident occurred around 10 pm on Tuesday, June 17. Passersby allegedly noticed the couple from the road and began recording, with one video later circulating widely on social media platforms. In the background of the video, some onlookers can be heard shouting and using offensive language. The situation drew a crowd and caused a traffic jam in front of the hotel. The viral nature of the video and the manner in which it was recorded have raised serious questions about privacy, public decency, and the legality of filming people through private property without consent. While the couple's identity remains unknown, users on social media have pointed out that regardless of who they are, whether a married couple or not, filming them without permission constitutes a violation of privacy and may be punishable under Indian cyber and privacy laws. (Also Read: Viral video shows violent clash on Kedarnath Yatra route, men attack each other with sticks) One X user wrote, 'At this rate, someone could peek into a corner of someone's home, record it, and make it viral. This is a crime, not content.' Another noted, 'The attempt to weigh this on moral grounds rather than legal ones is deeply flawed. Privacy is not conditional.' Some users also questioned the hotel's room design. 'Why was the bed placed right next to a large window without any curtain? That's a lapse in guest privacy,' one comment read. There has been no official response yet from the hotel or local police. has reached out to the hotel for a statement and will update the story when a response is received. (Also Read: Sydney transport urges tall commuters to mind their armpits: 'This should be printed inside every train')
