Exclusive: Kainchi Dham to get Char Dham-style registration system

The Nainital district administration in Uttarakhand plans to implement a registration system akin to the one used for the Char Dham pilgrimage at the Kainchi Dham shrine. The move aims to address the significant surge in visitors to the site, which has led to congested roads and increased travel times for both pilgrims and locals.

Currently, there is no registration requirement for entering Kainchi Dham, but the administration hopes that the new system will allow them to anticipate visitor numbers and manage the flow of people more effectively. The system, modeled after the Char Dham registration mechanism, will involve creating an account, selecting the shrine and dates, entering pilgrim details, and receiving a Yatra Registration Letter with a QR code.

At the shrine, designated counters will verify the registration of visitors. The administration, led by Nainital District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal, plans to initially restrict the system to weekends when the shrine experiences the highest crowds. The Char Dham-like registration system will be accessible through the Tourist Care portal and mobile app, where pilgrims can register online or seek assistance from “Yatri Mitra.”

Additionally, the administration is working on constructing an alternative route around Kainchi, known as the Ratighat bypass, which could help alleviate traffic congestion during peak pilgrimage seasons.