Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 4

Pilgrims planning to visit Hemkund Sahib in Chamoli district this year will have to shell out extra money as the fares of hiring mules, porters and palanquins have been increased. The Sikh temple will open on May 25.Pilgrims can take their vehicles till Pulna only and further they have to cover a 16-km stretch on foot. Most of the pilgrims, especially elderly, prefer to hire mules and porters as the route is arduous.The Chamoli district panchayat, which manages all these facilities, has decided to increase the fares from this year. A porter will now charge Rs 1,900 for carrying a pilgrim with weight up to 50 kg from Pulna to Hemkund Sahib for to and fro journey. Earlier, the fare was Rs 1,570. Those weighing above 50 kg will be charged Rs 2,610, while earlier it used to be Rs 2,155.Similarly, the owners of mules and horses will charge Rs 3,435 for carrying weight up to 60 kg. Earlier, the charges were Rs 2,860. For hiring palanquin, the fare has been increased from Rs 13,205 to Rs 15,850.MS Rana, a senior government official in Chamoli, said the fares had been increased after a gap of three years.

Costly affair

• A porter will charge Rs 1,900 for carrying a pilgrim with weight up to 50 kg from Pulna to Hemkund Sahib for to and fro journey. Earlier, the fare was Rs 1,570. Those weighing above 50 kg will be charged Rs 2,610. Earlier, it was Rs 2,155.
• The owners of mules and horses will charge Rs 3,435 for carrying weight up to 60 kg. Earlier, the fare was Rs 2,860. For hiring a palanquin, the fare has been increased from Rs 13,205 to Rs 15,850