Dehradun/Mussoorie, April 29 -- With the Char Dham Yatra set to start on Wednesday, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday directed officials concerned to ensure proper security arrangements at all religious and tourist places of the state. "In view of the Char Dham Yatra, special attention should be paid to the security arrangements. District magistrates should regularly monitor the situation in their districts. Immediate action should be taken against those who spread fake news through various mediums during the yatra and in other important matters and the district magistrates should regularly share the correct information through various mediums," Dhami said during a virtual meeting with the DMs from the chief minister's residence. He further said that action should be taken as per rules against those who do not get their tenants verified in the state. "The district magistrates should put the officers of all departments on duty for verification in the districts. Along with paying special attention to forest fire management, strict action should be taken against those found involved in forest fire incidents," he said. The chief minister said that in view of the yatra, special attention should be paid to traffic management and the condition of the roads. "Local operators of horses and mules should be given priority for the Char Dham Yatra. Special attention should be paid to cleanliness and beautification along with ensuring that all basic facilities for the devotees on the yatra routes. The rate list should be checked on the travel routes and it should be ensured that there is no complaint of overpricing." Speaking at a later event, Dhami said: "Char Dham Yatra is the lifeline of Uttarakhand. Thousands of devotees come for yatra. Every possible effort has been made for a safe, well-organised and smooth yatra." "Char Dham Yatra is a spiritual and religious journey and its original form should be maintained. I expect everyone to follow the rules of the yatra," he added. Badarinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) media in-charge Harish Gaur said that the temple committee's advance teams have already completed all necessary pre-yatra arrangements at the Kedarnath Dham. "Essential facilities such as drinking water, electricity, the cleanliness of the Bhog Mandi (offering market), the temple committee and puja offices, general repairs to the darshan queue, and comfortable accommodation for priests and staff have been meticulously ensured for the convenience of pilgrims." Anand Shukla, temple priest at Kedarnath shrine and member of the Kedar Sabha committee of temple priests said, " We welcome the pilgrims with religious fervour, and we appeal to the pilgrims that they should follow the religious rituals as per the Hindu traditions and maintain the sanctity of the shrine during their visit." Meanwhile, the Panchmukhi Utsav Murti (ceremonial idol) of Lord Kedarnath commenced its journey towards the revered Himalayan shrine amid the devotional melodies played by the Indian Army band after the Panch Snan (five holy baths) ritual was performed by the temple priest at Omkareshwar temple (winter abode of Kedarnath Dham ) in Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district on Monday.The rituals were performed by priest Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, in the presence of devotees and officials of BKTC. "Before this auspicious departure, the Panchmukhi Utsav Murti underwent the sacred Panch Snan (five holy baths) and was adorned with floral decoration before being placed in the flower-decked doli (palanquin) Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath by Kedarnath Shrine Rawal Bhimashankar Ling in the presence of devotees," Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, chief executive officer of BKTC said. The ritual marked the first leg of the Panchmukhi Doli's (divine palanquin) journey, which will pass through the temple route, including Ukhimath, Sansari, Vidyapeeth, and the bustling Guptkashi market....