Darshan Kunwar
CM Dhami announces sops to boost Winter tourism
In a move to boost winter tourism for the first time in a big way, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday decided to provide 25% concession to those staying in state Government run Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam(GMVN) guest houses and hotels with immediate effect in Uttarakhand.
This was decided at a high-level meeting chaired by CM Dhami on at state capital. The move is being seen as part of series of concessions made by BJP’ led Pushkar Singh Dhami Government in a bid to give impetus to Winter pilgrimage in the Himalayan state.
Prominent among those who attended meeting included Additional Chief Secretary Anand Suvardhan, top officials from Uttarakhand tourism, GMVN and other related departments.
The crucial meeting that chalked out roadmap and guidelines to ensure that road conditions are improved and all necessary facilities are made available to all devotees, religious tourists and other visitors on their way to the Chardham’ winter destinations of Chardham.
Decision to this effect was made, two days after Chief Minister Dhami officially flagged off the Uttarakhand’s winter pilgrimage by offering prayers at Ukhimath’ Omkareshwar temple in Rudraprayag district.
Omkareshwar temple is known as Lord Shiva’s holy seat during Winter season. Doli of Lord Shiva was shifted to Omkareshwar temple from Kedarnath shrine after the closure of its Holy portals on November 15. Portals of other three shrines like Badrinath,Gangotri and Yamnotri were shut between November 15 to November 19.
After the conclusion of meeting with top officials,CM Dhami By Darshan Kunwar
CM Dhami announces 25% concession in GMVN room tariffs
In a move to boost winter tourism for the first time in a big way, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday decided to provide 25% concession to those staying in state Government run Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam(GMVN) guest houses and hotels with immediate effect in Uttarakhand.
This was decided at a high-level meeting chaired by CM Dhami on at state capital.
Prominent among those who attended meeting included Additional Chief Secretary Anand Suvardhan, top officials from Uttarakhand tourism, GMVN and other related departments.
The crucial meeting that chalked out roadmap and guidelines to ensure that road conditions are improved and all necessary facilities are made available to all devotees, religious tourists and other visitors on their way to the Chardham’ winter destinations of Chardham.
Decision to this effect was made, two days after Chief Minister Dhami officially flagged off the Uttarakhand’s winter pilgrimage by offering prayers at Ukhimath’ Omkareshwar temple in Rudraprayag district.
Omkareshwar temple is known as Lord Shiva’s holy seat during Winter season. Doli of Lord Shiva was shifted to Omkareshwar temple from Kedarnath shrine after the closure of its Holy portals on November 15. Portals of other three shrines like Badrinath,Gangotri and Yamnotri were shut between November 15 to November 19.
After the conclusion of meeting with top officials,CM Dhami said” 25% discount in the room tarifs ,may help provide much needed relief to all those thronging to Chardham’ winter destinations from across the India and abroad apart from other sops to the devotees on their way to winter destinations of Chardham shrines including Gangotri,Yamnotri and Badrinath, I have directed officials to make sure that adequate arrangements are made for their stay,fooding and medical care during emergency at different lodges”, said Dhami.
Since we will play as host to a huge number of pilgrims coming to these winter destinations, all out efforts are being made to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to them during pilgrimage”, said Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurvey.
Officials hoped that despite temperature night temperature plummeting to the lowest degrees triggered by consistent snowing in Uttarakhand’s high reaches, a huge number of domestic and international tourists are expected to reach these places during winter season.
A large number of tourists coming to Ukhimath told that apart from increasing craze for religious tourism, most of them look to be keen to relish the thrills and excitement of snowfall in different parts of Himalayan state. That is why a majority of tourists are wearing jubilant looks on their faces”, added CM Dhami. apart from other sops to the devotees on their way to winter destinations of Chardham shrines including Gangotri,Yamnotri and Badrinath, I have directed officials to make sure that adequate arrangements are made for their stay,fooding and medical care during emergency at different lodges”, said Dhami.
Since we will play as host to a huge number of pilgrims coming to these winter destinations, all out efforts are being made to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to them during pilgrimage”, said Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurvey.
Officials hoped that despite temperature night temperature plummeting to the lowest degrees triggered by consistent snowing in Uttarakhand’s high reaches, a huge number of domestic and international tourists are expected to reach these places during winter season.
A large number of tourists coming to Ukhimath told that apart from increasing craze for religious tourism, most of them look to be keen to relish the thrills and excitement of snowfall in different parts of Himalayan state. That is why a majority of tourists are wearing jubilant looks on their faces”, added CM Dhami.
Darshan Kunwar ,
Senior Accredited freelance journalist & Political Commentator