Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand): Pilgrims undertaking Char Dham Yatra have been facing hardships. Owners of horses and mules for transporting elderly persons to Kedarnath Dham are charging exorbitant fees. The palanquin service to carry devotees is hitting the roof. The rate fixed by the government is Rs 2,500 per person for transporting them on the back of a horse or mule. But, they are charging Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 per person.
Police personnel were found missing on the two-kilometre pedestrian route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. The shuttle service carrying devotees from Sonprayag to Gaurikund is not functioning properly. The Kedarnath Dham pilgrimage has completed 19 days and more than 2.65 lakhs pilgrims have visited the Kedar shrine during the yatra.
A pilgrim Nilesh Sasarani, who came from Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, said, "Al least 13 people are in our batch undertaking the Char Dham Yatra. The charges of a mule or horse for carrying pilgrims are double compared to what is mentioned on the display board. The mule or horse service is asking for Rs 5,000 per person."
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Another pilgrim said, "The charges of undertaking the pilgrimage on horse or mule's back are exorbitant. They are demanding Rs 5,000 per person. But, the rate fixed by the government is Rs 2,500 per person. I was looking for another option. My purse did not allow me to spend Rs 5,000 for undertaking the yatra on horse or mule's back."
A woman pilgrim said, "We were lucky to pay obeisance to the Lord at Kedarnath Dham. But people are facing inconvenience while moving on pedestrian routes. The pedestrian path has become slippery due to mud and slush. People are skidding. Staying in hotels at Kedarnath Dham has become a costly affair."
