Hills not ready: 61% rise in Char Dham pilgrims worries experts

Particularly noteworthy is the Kedarnath shrine, which witnessed a 67% increase in footfall since its portals opened on May 10. Last year, 44,892 pilgrims visited the Himalayan shrine in the first three days, which increased to 75,139 this time. Similarly, the number of pilgrims has increased by 61% in Gangotri and 59% in Yamunotri. In Badrinath, 15,432 devotees arrived in the first two days of the yatra last year. This year, 22,690 pilgrims had visited the shrine on the first day of its opening on May 12.