More than 50 pilgrims have died since the start of the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand nearly two weeks ago on May 10.
As per NDTV, at a press conference on Friday, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey stated, "52 Chardham pilgrims have died so far, mostly due to heart attacks. Most of them were above 60 years old."
He said that three devotees died in Gangotri, 12 in Yamunotri, 14 in Badrinath, and 23 in Kedarnath.
However, to ensure the safety of the pilgrims, medical screening for those above 50 years of age has been made mandatory.
The screening is conducted en route to the Himalayan temples, and those not deemed medically fit are advised against traveling.
However, if they still choose to continue, they are allowed to proceed after filling out a form.
Vinay further elaborated, "Continuous efforts are being made to further improve the Chardham Yatra arrangements, so far nine lakh 67 thousand 302 devotees have visited the Chardham."
He added, "The yatra is going on smoothly at all the four pilgrimages."
