INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
DEHRADUN: In the limelight recently for being subjected to cruelty by owners, mules have outperformed helicopters in terms of generating
revenue during the ongoing Kedarnath yatra, doing a business of Rs 82.4 crore, around 46% more than the revenue netted by choppers, which
have earned Rs 56.4 crore
It was the same story last year too, when mules earned Rs 101 crore and chopper firms Rs 75 crore during the Kedarnath yatra
This year, so far, 10.3 lakh pilgrims have visited Kedarnath, maximum of the total 30 lakh pilgrims that have undertaken the Char Dham
pilgrimage.The Kedarnath yatra lasts for around seven months
While mules operate throughout this duration, the number of choppers reduces significantly during the monsoon period of around three months
At this time, the low visibility and gusty winds make it difficult and risky for choppers to fly
This year, there was rainfall even in summer, limiting chopper trips during the peak season of April and May
A total of 6,933 mules are registered with the Rudraprayag district administration and another 1,000 have been authorised to carry goods
Officials say that most pilgrims prefer to take mules on the uphill trek to the shrine
From Sonprayag and Gaurikund, as per figures accessed by TOI, around 1.8 lakh devotees took mules to Kedarnath this year, helping operators
earn around Rs 54.8 crore
Around 1.34 lakh pilgrims booked the return journey, generating a revenue of Rs 27.5 crore.Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said, "The fact
