Biometric registration for 'Himalayan Kumbh'

Pilgrims participating in Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra, which is held every 12 years, will have to register themselves biometrically as participants of 'char dham' did this year.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar to review preparations for the yatra beginning on August 17, an official release quoting him said.

Arrangements for the biometric registration of pilgrims will be made at Ban Gaon of Chamoli district, Kumar said.

Apart from bio-metric registration, their medical examination will also be done before they are allowed to proceed on the journey, it said.

The chief secretary asked the departments concerned to complete their preparations for the yatra by July 30 with due emphasis on keeping enough stocks of ration, kerosene oil and solar lanterns for devotees. The yatra route has been divided into seven zones and a magistrate, a DSP and food supply inspector posted in each of them to conduct the yatra smoothly.

Being held for the first time after the formation of Uttarakhand, Nandadevi Raj Jaat Yatra could not be held in 2012 due to "malemaas" (inauspicious phase) and in 2013 due to the June flashfloods which caused massive devastation along its route.

Describing the yatra as the 'Himalayan Kumbh', Chief Minister Harish Rawat had said that no laxity on the part of officials in preparations will be tolerated.

He had said that apart from 25 stopovers en route Nandadevi, new places should also be identified which can be connected to the route.