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Uttarakhand Sees Massive Traffic Jams as Char Dham Yatra Surges Post-Monsoon
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News18•03-10-2026, 18:15
Uttarakhand Sees Massive Traffic Jams as Char Dham Yatra Surges Post-Monsoon
- •The Char Dham Yatra has gained significant momentum after the monsoon withdrawal, leading to a massive influx of tourists and pilgrims in Uttarakhand.
- •On Friday, 39,567 pilgrims visited Char Dham shrines and Hemkund Sahib, a substantial increase from the daily average of 13,000, with Kedarnath receiving the highest number.
- •The long weekend, including Gandhi Jayanti, drew huge crowds to religious and tourist destinations like Mussoorie, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Nainital district, causing traffic jams lasting four to five hours.
- •Police have deployed additional forces and implemented special traffic plans, including route diversions and shuttle services for Kainchi Dham, to manage the heavy congestion.
- •Pilgrims are advised to adhere to traffic rules, use designated parking, and cooperate with police as the Char Dham Yatra enters its final phase before winter closures.
Key Questions Answered
The traffic jams were caused by a sudden and massive influx of pilgrims and tourists following the withdrawal of the monsoon and an improvement in weather conditions, which led to a surge in visitors for the Char Dham Yatra.
Kedarnath received the highest number of pilgrims on Friday, recording 12,844 arrivals out of the total 39,567 pilgrims who visited the shrines and Hemkund Sahib.
Nainital police have altered traffic routes, deployed additional personnel, and are transporting pilgrims to Kainchi Dham using shuttle vehicles while arranging for them to have darshan in organized queues.
