Planning Char Dham Yatra this year? You will have to pay a fee for online registration — Know details

If you’re planning the Char Dham Yatra this year, online registration might soon come with a small charge. Uttarakhand officials are considering introducing a registration fee - likely starting from as little as Rs 10 - to tackle a problem that has quietly grown over the past few years: fake and unnecessary bookings clogging up the system.

The state government says the aim is simple - make sure the people registering are genuine pilgrims, not random or duplicate entries that often lead to confusion, overcrowding and last-minute mismanagement during the busy pilgrimage season. Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed that a committee has been set up to decide the final amount.

Why the government wants to charge a fee?

Add Zee Business as a Preferred Source

The Char Dham Yatra draws lakhs of devotees every year, and online registration has become the main way to manage the huge rush. But officials say the ease of online sign-ups has also led to misuse.

In recent seasons, fake registrations have caused major headaches for authorities with numbers on paper often not matching the actual crowd on the ground. “A minimum fee of Rs 10 has been proposed so that fake registrations can be prevented,” Pandey said, adding that the committee will finalise the decision soon.

Fake bookings have created real challenges

While Rs 10 may seem like a small amount, officials believe it could make a big difference.

Fake or bulk registrations may sound like a paperwork issue, but on the ground, they often create very real problems. When thousands of names show up in the system without genuine travellers behind them, it becomes harder for officials to estimate how many pilgrims are actually arriving each day.

Fake registrations often leave authorities dealing with unexpected crowds. That puts pressure on basic arrangements like accommodation, transport, security and medical support. In high-altitude areas such as Kedarnath, even a small surge in numbers can become difficult to manage safely. By introducing a small fee, the government hopes only genuine pilgrims will register, making the process more organised.

Final decision still awaited

For now, the fee has not been officially implemented.

Pandey said the committee, headed by the Additional Commissioner of Garhwal Division, will submit a report soon, after which the government will take the final call.

“The final fee will be decided only after approval from the government,” he said.

Yatra dates announced for April

The move comes just weeks before the Char Dham Yatra begins. The pilgrimage season will start on April 19 with the opening of Yamunotri and Gangotri.

Kedarnath Dham is set to reopen on April 22, followed by Badrinath Dham on April 23. With lakhs of devotees expected to travel this year, officials say keeping the journey safe, organised and hassle-free remains the top priority.

The Char Dham Yatra remains one of India’s most revered pilgrimages, and each year Uttarakhand has the challenging job of handling the huge influx of devotees while keeping the journey safe and smooth.