Security, safety priority areas during yatras : Khanduri

Dehra Dun, Apr 23 (UNI) Uttarakhand Chief Minsiter B C Khanduri has said special provisions will be made to facilitate the smooth transit of pilgrims during the yatra season to the state.

Stringent security and safety measures will be in place and a need - based system developed, giving tourists as well as pilgrims access to safe drinking water, toilets among other essential necessities, Mr Khanduri informed the press at a meeting in the Secretariat yesterday.

The State's Tourism Board has invited tour operators from across the country to invest in Uttarakhand, which is also referred to as 'Devbhoomi' or 'Land of the Gods' with its famous pilgrimage and spiritual centres like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Hemkund Sahib and so on.

State Tourism Minister Prakash Pant, in a recent meeting with private tour operators, said a stringent security network would be in place to ensure the safety of visitors.

This year, there were an estimated 2.21 crore tourists of which 1.06 were from abroad, he informed.

He said small stoppages were being planned along the routes to give tourists the advantage of enjoying the state's scenic and spiritual beauty.

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