Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday urged the Centre to ensure uninterrupted supply of commercial LPG cylinders during the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, stressing that smooth fuel availability is essential for managing the large influx of pilgrims and maintaining essential services during the annual pilgrimage season.

The request was made during a meeting with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi. The Chief Minister raised a range of logistical and infrastructure-related issues concerning Uttarakhand’s difficult mountainous terrain, recurring natural disasters, and the heavy seasonal demand generated by religious tourism.

Dhami highlighted that the Char Dham Yatra, which runs from April to November, attracts lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad to the sacred shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. He noted that this sharp seasonal surge places significant pressure on local supply chains, particularly in the hospitality sector, where hotels, dhabas, and other service providers depend heavily on commercial LPG cylinders.

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According to the Chief Minister, Uttarakhand requires approximately 9.67 lakh commercial LPG cylinders during the pilgrimage period to meet rising consumption. He cautioned that any disruption in supply could affect essential services, inconvenience pilgrims, and impact the overall management of the Yatra, which is considered one of India’s most significant religious journeys.

Dhami also drew attention to the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly during the monsoon season from June to September. He said frequent landslides, road blockages, and extreme weather conditions often disrupt transport networks in the hilly terrain, making fuel availability even more critical for residents, tourists, and emergency response teams.

In view of these challenges, the Chief Minister requested an additional 5 per cent allocation of commercial LPG cylinders—around 48,397 units—to strengthen preparedness for emergencies and ensure continuity of supply during crisis situations. He emphasised that reliable access to fuel is vital not only for tourism but also for disaster relief operations in remote areas.

Dhami further underlined that tourism, especially pilgrimage tourism, remains a key driver of Uttarakhand’s economy, supporting livelihoods in transport, hospitality, and local trade sectors. He said ensuring smooth arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra directly contributes to both economic stability and the safety of pilgrims. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured the Chief Minister of full cooperation from the Centre and stated that appropriate measures would be taken to address Uttarakhand’s requirements ahead of the pilgrimage season.

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