Many pilgrims have reported long waiting hours, overcrowding, and inadequate facilities at Kedarnath Temple. Pic/ Instagram
Concerns over crowd management and security arrangements have emerged from the ongoing Kedarnath Yatra in Uttarakhand, with several devotees taking to social media to highlight alleged lapses at the pilgrimage site.
Many pilgrims have reported long waiting hours, overcrowding, and inadequate facilities at Kedarnath Temple, with some even advising others to postpone their visit due to the surge in footfall.
Devotees have alleged instances of misbehaviour by police personnel and insufficient on-ground management. The situation is said to be particularly challenging given the temple's high-altitude location and harsh weather conditions.
Pilgrims claim they are being made to stand in queues for several hours, with limited support in terms of crowd control and basic amenities.
In a separate incident, a devotee from Gujarat, identified as Dilip Bhai Mali, reportedly died of a heart attack on April 22, the opening day of the yatra.
According to claims circulating online, his son Hemant Mali sought helicopter assistance to transport the body but was allegedly denied permission due to the absence of a DGCA-mandated No Objection Certificate (NOC), required under new aviation safety norms for the yatra.
The incident has triggered debate over the adequacy of emergency response systems at the pilgrimage site. Some social media users have questioned whether aviation rules are being implemented uniformly after claims that officials were able to access helicopter services during the same period.
Amid mounting complaints, several devotees have reached out to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, urging authorities to address the situation and improve arrangements.
There has been no official response so far to the allegations of mismanagement, police misconduct, or the reported denial of emergency services.
The developments have intensified scrutiny of arrangements for high-risk pilgrimage events like the Kedarnath Yatra, which draws thousands of devotees each year under challenging terrain and weather conditions.
