Uttarakhand Transport Department Runs Continuous Checking Drive to Keep Chardham Yatra Pilgrims Safe

UTTARAKHAND  |  CHARDHAM YATRA 2026  |  TRANSPORT & SAFETY  |  May 30, 2026

With millions of pilgrims heading to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, the Uttarakhand Transport Department has launched a sustained vehicle inspection campaign across all major Yatra routes to prevent accidents and ensure only fit vehicles carry devotees on mountain roads.

Bureau Report  |  Dehradun, Uttarakhand  |  May 30, 2026  |  4 min read

KEY FIGURES AT A GLANCE

Keeping the safety of Chardham Yatra pilgrims as its topmost priority, the Uttarakhand Transport Department has launched a continuous and rigorous vehicle checking campaign along all four Dham routes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Enforcement teams are conducting round-the-clock inspections at check posts and along highways to ensure that only technically fit and properly documented vehicles are permitted to carry pilgrims through the challenging Himalayan terrain.

KEY MEASURES IN THE CHECKING DRIVE

• Vehicles checked for valid Green Card (mandatory hill endurance fitness permit) issued by the Transport Department
• Night travel banned vehicle movement restricted to 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM only on all Yatra routes
• Overloaded and oversized vehicles turned back — vehicles longer than 4,500 mm or wider than 2,570 mm are not permitted
• RTO officers equipped with handheld Challan Tabs for on-the-spot document verification inside vehicles
• Drivers required to hold medical fitness certificates and proven experience on hilly mountain terrain

WHAT IS THE GREEN CARD AND WHY DOES IT MATTER

At the heart of the transport department’s safety framework is the mandatory Green Card a hill endurance permit that certifies a vehicle’s mechanical readiness for steep Himalayan inclines. Launched by Transport Minister Pradeep Batra at Roshanabad in Haridwar, the Green Card system requires every commercial passenger vehicle to undergo a physical technical inspection at a regional transport office before being allowed onto Yatra routes. The card not only certifies fitness but also stores essential vehicle data that can be accessed instantly during emergencies.

Vehicle owners can apply for the Green Card online through the Uttarakhand Transport Department’s official website and pay the prescribed fee. A Green Card, once issued, remains valid for the entire Yatra season until November 30. Out-of-state vehicles are additionally required to obtain prior vehicle entry permits from the district administration.

“Only technically fit vehicles will be permitted on the Char Dham routes this is not just a rule, it is a commitment to every pilgrim’s life.”

NIGHT TRAVEL BAN AND STRICT PENALTIES

One of the most significant safety decisions taken this season is the complete prohibition on vehicle movement between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM on all Chardham routes. Authorities have underscored that poor visibility, sharp hairpin bends, and the frequent risk of landslides make night travel on mountain roads extremely hazardous. Transport enforcement teams are actively monitoring compliance, and strict financial penalties are being imposed on drivers and operators who violate the timing restrictions.

ON-THE-GO ENFORCEMENT MODEL

To avoid long queues at check posts while maintaining thorough inspections, the department has adopted a modern check-on-the-go model. Regional Transport Officers at major check posts are now equipped with high-speed Challan Tabs  handheld devices that allow officers to board vehicles and verify documents from inside, rather than halting every bus or taxi at a single window for extended periods. This approach has significantly reduced bottlenecks while keeping enforcement standards high.

PILGRIM SAFETY AT THE CENTRE

With over 11.68 lakh registrations recorded for the 2026 Chardham Yatra and the state government working towards a zero-fatality pilgrimage season, the transport checking drive forms a vital part of a larger safety ecosystem. Alongside vehicle inspections, the state has established 20 Medical Relief Posts and 31 health check-up centres along Yatra routes. CCTV cameras have been activated and AI-based surveillance is being deployed at sensitive points.

Devotees planning to undertake the Chardham Yatra are encouraged to check the official Uttarakhand Transport Department website for the latest updates on vehicle regulations, check post locations, and Green Card registration.

Tags: #ChardhamYatra2026  |  #Uttarakhand  |  #TransportDepartment  |  #PilgrimSafety  |  #GreenCard  |  #Kedarnath  |  #Badrinath

Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)

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