Shimla/Dehradun, April 11 — As preparations intensify for the Char Dham Yatra 2025, the inclusion of the pilgrimage under the District Residency Programme (DRP) has started debate among medical professionals and public health advocates.
In a development, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, National President of the United Doctors Front (UDF), has welcomed the move, highlighting its potential to enhance the clinical exposure of postgraduate medical residents while providing crucial healthcare services to thousands of pilgrims.
Speaking on the development, Dr. Mittal appreciated the National Medical Commission (NMC) for ensuring that participation in the programme remains voluntary, respecting the autonomy and individual choices of medical residents.
“It is commendable that the NMC has rightly kept participation in the Char Dham Yatra as a voluntary component, respecting individual choices,” he stated.
However, Dr. Mittal also sounded a note of caution, calling for strict oversight and real-time monitoring to safeguard the well-being of resident doctors deployed in the challenging conditions of the yatra. "Past experiences in certain states have highlighted significant gaps in support systems for healthcare workers, and these must not be repeated. The welfare, dignity, and safety of resident doctors must remain a top priority during this critical public service," he urged.
The call for responsible planning echoes broader concerns among civil society organisations and environmental advocates.
With heli-services and other bookings already underway, NGOs like the SDC Foundation, Dehradun, have been actively pressing for comprehensive regulation of the pilgrimage, including better waste management services and strict adherence to the carrying capacity of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Anoop Nautiyal, founder of the SDC Foundation, reinforced this sentiment, stating, "Let us not break records in terms of numbers but in terms of quality services to pilgrims, upholding the sanctity of Char Dham while respecting the mountains and their limits to crowds."
As the pilgrimage attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country, experts and activists alike are urging authorities to balance spiritual fervour with ecological responsibility and the safety of all participants, including healthcare providers.
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