Uttarakhand govt. cancels Kanwar Yatra owing to COVID-19, say sources

It is for the second consecutive year that the yatra is not being held due to the pandemic.

Uttarakhand has decided to cancel the Kanwar Yatra in view of the COVID-19 situation, “giving top priotity to the protection of human life,” according to an official statement. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami following a meeting with senior state officials on Tuesday evening.  “In the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on the occurrence of the delta plus variant of COVID, the possibility of a third wave and its effects in the country and abroad. The opinion of experts in this regard was also considered,” said the statement issued after the meeting. The Chief Minister directed the Home Secretary  and Director General of Police to take appropriate action.  He also directed that the officials of neighbouring states should be requested to coordinate and take effective action so that they can be successful in stopping the pandemic.