Mismanagement and Exploitation Alleged at Sitapur Parking on Kedarnath Yatra Route

Alarming reports have surfaced from Sitapur Parking, a key stop on the Kedarnath Yatra route, exposing serious irregularities and poor facilities being offered to pilgrims. Despite being designated a parking space under the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, the area has allegedly been turned into an unauthorised makeshift lodging facility. Pilgrims are being charged ₹300 to sleep on floors lined with rented mattresses and quilts, while an additional ₹500 is reportedly being collected for cooking meals on site. These unauthorized services are being provided without any hygiene or sanitation measures in place.

According to the Kedarnath Hotel Association, which inspected the parking premises on Friday under the leadership of President Prem Goswami, the conditions are appalling. The area is strewn with filth, and there is no provision of toilets, forcing devotees to relieve themselves in the open. The contractor responsible for managing Sitapur Parking has also allegedly rented out roadside stalls to outside vendors, many of whom have been accused of misbehaving with both pilgrims and locals.

The situation took a violent turn when the association’s General Secretary, Nitin Jamloki, raised concerns about the mismanagement. He was reportedly assaulted by stall vendors who objected to the scrutiny. On Thursday, there had already been a physical altercation between parking staff and some pilgrims, prompting the police to take action against the employees involved.

Members of the Bhairav Sena and the kedarnath Hotel Association have criticized the parking staff for their disrespectful treatment of pilgrims and demanded urgent intervention. They allege that the operator has flouted every rule while tourism officials have turned a blind eye, enabling ongoing exploitation.

Responding to the growing outrage, District Tourism Officer Rahul Chaubey confirmed that the matter has come to his notice. He assured that appropriate action will be taken against the parking contractor.