Dehradun: In the wake of the rising cases of coronavirus Uttarakhand government on Tuesday suspended the Char Dham until further notice.
This comes a day after the state high court stayed for four weeks the Cabinet’s decision to allow the yatra for local residents of three districts from July 1.
On Monday, the government had issued SOPs for the first phase of Char Dham yatra, allowing residents of Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts undertake pilgrimage after prior registration and RTPCR/TrueNat/RAT Covid negative test report. The SOPs said all residents of Uttarakhand will be allowed to visit the four shrines in the second phase from July 11, if they are carrying a negative Covid test report.
However, division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma had on Monday stayed the cabinet decision while hearing some PILs related to availability of health infrastructure in the state.
State government spokesperson Subodh Uniyal had told the media that the government will examine the high court order and move the Supreme Court if necessary.
The court has directed the government to ensure that the ceremonies carried out within the sanctum sanctorum of the Char Dham temples be live streamed for the devotees.
