SMS service begins for Char Dham pilgrims

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 2

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), today started group SMS service for the Char Dham pilgrims, who were registered at the tourist registration centre in Rishikesh.

It will act as an advance warning for pilgrims, who undertake pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamnotri and Gangotri shrines.

The mobile number of pilgrims would be also collected from the tourist information centres operating at different locations along the Char Dham Yatra route. The group SMSes would also be sent to hotel owners, cab operators, state and private roadways union office bearers, the SDRF and police personnel.

Inspector General of SDRF Sanjay Gunjyal said they had started bulk messaging service free of cost to the registered pilgrims.

He said the service would help pilgrims to reschedule their pilgrimage, if the Char Dham Yatra was reported to be disrupted due inclement weather conditions.

He said the SDRF had deployed personnel along the Char Dham Yatra and were continuously monitoring the situation.

Gunjyal said we were working round-the-clock to rescue stranded pilgrims to safer places.