So far the number of passengers who died in Chardham Yatra has crossed the 100 mark. According to the state health department, 101 pilgrims have died during the yatra, including 49 at Kedarnath Dham, 20 at Badrinath Dham, 7 at Gangotri Dham and 25 at Yamunotri Dham. Of these, one each died in Kedarnath and Badrinath on Sunday.
Now in view of this, the government has changed the rules of Chardham Yatra. This change has been made for passengers above 50 years of age. According to this rule, if any person who is above 50 years of age is planning for Chardham Yatra, then he will now have to undergo mandatory health check-up and will be allowed to travel only if the health is found to be good.
According to a report in Hindustan Times, Uttarakhand Director General of Health Shailja Bhatt informed that it has been decided to make medical screening mandatory for all pilgrims of 50 and above age coming for Chardham Yatra. Uttarkashi Chief Medical Officer KS Chauhan also confirmed that the pilgrims above 50 years of age are being medically examined.
Why are passengers dying?
Apart from this, Chief Medical Officer of Rudraprayag BK Shukla said that passengers who failed in medical examination are being advised to return. Pradeep Bhardwaj has attributed the high number of deaths to a combination of several factors, provided free medical facilities in Kedarnath. These include heavy rush of pilgrims, absence of an adaptation mechanism, poor facility of pilgrims, impact of COVID and change of seasons.
Deaths in Chardham during the last few years
Significantly, in the previous years, the deaths of pilgrims during the entire season exceeded 90 in 2019, 102 in 2018 and 112 in 2017. Let us inform that the Chardham Yatra lasts for about six months from April-May to October-November every year.