DEHRADUN: Dismissing apprehensions of visitors planning to cancel their bookings for Uttarakhand in the wake of the latest earthquake in Nepal, the state government has said Char Dham yatra routes and all tourist spots are absolutely safe and there is no need to worry.
The fresh wave of tremors in Nepal had generated fear in the minds of tourists and pilgrims bound for Uttarakhand, who were in a mood to cancel their bookings to different destinations across the state, Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai said.
The state government has received several calls from prospective visitors wanting to know whether their visit to the hill state will be safe.
Even private tour operators, who have made the bookings, are inquiring about the situation.
“But there is no need to fear as Char Dham yatra and all the places of tourist interest across the state are absolutely safe. Those planning to visit Uttarakhand can go anywhere in the state without any trouble,” Dhanai said.
He said that the state government is “fully prepared” to deal with any natural calamity including quakes.
We have the State Disaster Response Force besides a well-oiled disaster mitigation and management machinery which has been directed to evacuate pilgrims and tourists in case of a crisis,” the minister said, in a bid to instill confidence among visitors bound for the hill state.
Describing tourist arrivals in the state since the start of the Char Dham yatra season this year on April 21 as “encouraging”, Dhanai said so far 1,15,162 devotees have visited Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri.-PTI
