Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday inaugurated the new Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited Hospital at Kedarnath Temple, marking a major step toward improving healthcare facilities in the high-altitude pilgrimage region. The hospital will be managed by the Swami Vivekananda Health Mission Society.

The Chief Minister said the Uttarakhand government is consistently working to ensure better and faster medical services for pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Dham. He highlighted that establishing a modern healthcare facility equipped with advanced medical infrastructure in the difficult Himalayan terrain would greatly strengthen emergency and routine healthcare services in the region.

According to Dhami, the hospital will not only support lakhs of devotees arriving during the annual Char Dham Yatra but will also benefit local residents living in nearby mountainous areas where access to quality healthcare often remains limited. The Chief Minister further stated that the state administration is giving special attention to healthcare arrangements to make the Kedarnath Yatra safe, organised, and convenient for devotees. He noted that doctors, paramedical teams, medical check-up centres, oxygen support systems, and emergency healthcare services have been deployed across the yatra route to handle any medical emergencies effectively.

Emphasising the government’s broader healthcare vision, Dhami said Uttarakhand is actively working toward building a “Healthy Uttarakhand, Prosperous Uttarakhand.” He added that nearly 6.1 million Ayushman cards have already been distributed under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, helping thousands of people receive free medical treatment across the state. The Chief Minister also shared that the government is moving ahead with plans to establish at least one medical college in every district to strengthen medical education and healthcare accessibility.

During his visit to Kedarnath, Dhami also offered prayers at Baba Kedar and wished for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of the people of Uttarakhand. He described Kedarnath Dham as not just a major spiritual destination, but also a symbol of public service and humanity. He said the government remains committed to improving healthcare and essential public infrastructure throughout Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. On the occasion, Asha Nautiyal praised the initiative and said the hospital reflects a strong commitment to public welfare and service. She added that the facility would play an important role in delivering improved healthcare services to both pilgrims and local communities in the years ahead.