Uttarakhand Installs 25 EV Charging Stations Along Char Dham Route to Promote Green Pilgrimage

In a significant move to make the Char Dham Yatra more environment-friendly, the Uttarakhand government has launched 25 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at key points along the pilgrimage route for this season. The initiative has already started showing results, with a steady rise in the number of electric vehicles participating in the sacred journey.

चारधाम यात्रा को पर्यावरण अनुकूल बनाने के लिए प्रदेश सरकार ने इस यात्रा सीजन से 25 स्थानों पर ई व्हीकल चार्जिंग की सुविधा उपलब्ध करा दी है। इससे यात्रा में इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों की संख्या दिन प्रतिदिन बढ़ रही है।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री पुष्कर सिंह धामी ने इस बार चारधाम यात्रा को ग्रीन… pic.twitter.com/oysZKWIuVv

— CM Office Uttarakhand (@ukcmo) May 15, 2025

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to organize this year’s Char Dham Yatra under the "Green Yatra" theme, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of sustainable and responsible tourism.

38 Charging Stations Planned, 25 Already Operational

A total of 38 EV charging stations are being developed along the Char Dham route with support from the Transport Department (28 stations) and THDC (10 stations). Of these, 25 stations have already been made operational in time for the start of the yatra. These stations are enabling pilgrims to conveniently charge their electric vehicles en route.

Most of these charging facilities have been established on properties owned by GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam). Each station is equipped with 60-kilowatt universal chargers, including two 30-kilowatt charging guns to cater to multiple vehicles simultaneously.

Key Pilgrimage Stops Covered

According to GMVN MD Vishal Mishra, the EV stations are strategically installed at major halt points to encourage the use of electric vehicles for religious tourism. In Rudraprayag district alone, four GMVN guest houses now offer EV charging facilities.

Charging stations have been installed at several key locations across the pilgrimage route, including Uttarkashi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mangalore, Roorkee, Barkot, Syanachatti, Phoolchatti, Jankichatti, Kaudiyala, Srinagar, Shrikot, Gauchar, Karnaprayag, Gairsain, Kaleshwar, Nandprayag, Pipalkoti, Auli, Pandukeshwar, Badrinath, Syalsaur, Guptkashi, Sonprayag, and Ghansali.

A Step Toward Pollution-Free Pilgrimage

CM Dhami highlighted that this initiative is a key step toward making the Char Dham Yatra not only smoother for pilgrims but also environmentally responsible. “By promoting electric vehicles, we aim to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, support responsible tourism, and encourage green travel practices,” he said.

The project is part of a broader commitment by the Uttarakhand government to reduce carbon emissions and position the state as a leader in eco-friendly pilgrimage tourism.