The Uttarakhand administration is considering making advance registration compulsory for devotees visiting Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Dham in Nainital, where rising footfall on weekends and holidays has led to overcrowding and traffic congestion.
The proposed arrangement is expected to follow the registration model used for the Char Dham Yatra. Under the plan, devotees would register before travelling and would be permitted to visit only after their hotel or guesthouse bookings had been confirmed.
A detailed plan is being prepared, with reports sought from the police and other officials. After its completion, the proposal will be submitted to the state government. The District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police are expected to jointly recommend mandatory registration.
Officials believe advance registration will provide an estimate of the number of visitors expected each day. This information would help authorities plan traffic movement, parking, shuttle services and security arrangements more effectively.
Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat has also appealed to devotees to reserve accommodation before travelling to Kainchi Dham. He said visitors who arrive without confirmed bookings and then search for hotels contribute to congestion and overcrowding on the roads.
A meeting chaired by Commissioner Rawat reviewed arrangements related to traffic, parking, crowd control, accommodation verification, shuttle operations and the temple’s entry and exit system. The administration is working towards a permanent and organised mechanism for managing the growing number of visitors.
Separate entry and exit routes are proposed within the temple premises. The measure follows recent instances of heavy crowding and is intended to create a one-way movement of devotees, reducing congestion caused by people moving in opposite directions.
The meeting also addressed complaints about motorcycles being operated as taxis and private bikes being rented out. Officials have directed that action be taken against such violations under the applicable rules.
Shopkeepers in Kainchi Dham and surrounding areas have been instructed to display their rate lists prominently. Authorities will act on complaints of overcharging if the allegations are established.
Complaints concerning excessive rates charged by hotels and homestays will also be examined. Confirmed violations may result in action against the concerned permits or licences.
The administration has said the proposed measures are necessary as the number of devotees continues to increase. The plan is aimed at moving from temporary responses to a structured crowd-management system at the pilgrimage site.
MP Ajay Bhatt said the growing influx of devotees made it necessary to streamline and upgrade arrangements through high-tech solutions.
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