More than 50 pilgrims have lost their lives since the commencement of the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand almost two weeks ago on May 10.

According to Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, a total of 52 Chardham pilgrims have passed away, primarily due to heart attacks. The majority of the deceased were aged above 60, with three fatalities reported in Gangotri, 12 in Yamunotri, 14 in Badrinath, and 23 in Kedarnath.

As a precautionary measure, medical screening has been made compulsory for pilgrims aged over 50. The screening is conducted along the route to the Himalayan temples, with pilgrims advised against proceeding if they are deemed medically unfit. However, those who insist on continuing the yatra are permitted to proceed after completing a form.

Efforts are ongoing to enhance the arrangements for the Chardham Yatra, with a total of 967,302 devotees having visited the pilgrimage sites so far. Pandey reassured that the yatra is progressing smoothly across all four pilgrimage destinations.