Helicopter flights to Kedarnath begin on May 2, and Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra commences on April 30. IRCTC will start accepting online reservations on April 8. In an effort to stop online fraud, authorities, such as UCADA and cyber police, are keeping a close eye on social media fraud and fake booking websites. CEO of UCADA, Sonika, said that if anyone tries to sell the tickets illegally, strict action will be taken against the culprit. She also said that good measures are being taken to help the public with this pilgrimage.
CEO of UCADA, Sonika, says, "We have only one official website, IRCTC, through which our bookings are made, along with a few offline bookings that happen at our counters. For monitoring, we are implementing several measures, like CCTV cameras and staff surveillance, to ensure convenience for the public. Last time, we registered several FIRs against black marketing and illegal online ticket sales, and this year too, we will take strict action against such activities."
Speaking about the Char Dham Yatra preparations, DSP Ankush Mishra, says, "As of now, we haven’t made any arrests or taken direct action. However, we are constantly monitoring the situation. If we receive any complaints, we act accordingly. Specifically, we focus on cyber-related issues, while our other STF teams handle organized crimes. In the past, we've conducted multiple raids related to gambling and betting. I’ve personally led such teams and have been involved in arresting individuals involved in these activities."
With more than 13.5 lakh devotees already registered to participate in the holy pilgrimage, the Char Dham Yatra 2025 is off to a solid and encouraging start, says Garhwal Mandal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey. The doors of Badrinath Dham are expected to open on May 4, marking the start of the pilgrimage, which will involve visits to the sacred shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Crucially, the number of pilgrims taking part in this year's yatra is unrestricted. Officials have been directed by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to make sure that each devotee has complete support and enjoys their pilgrimage.
Attracting thousands of visitors annually, the Char Dham Yatra is one of India's most respected spiritual pilgrimages. Depending on the weather, the yatra usually starts in April or May and lasts until November. With over 13.5 lakh people already registered and state authorities working nonstop, the Char Dham Yatra 2025 is looking to be one of the most inclusive and well-planned pilgrimages for all devotees.