Every year, millions of pilgrims cross high Himalayan passes to complete the Chardham Yatra — visiting Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. It is one of the most spiritually powerful journeys a Hindu can undertake. But it is also one of the most physically demanding. Altitudes crossing 10,000 feet, narrow mountain roads, rapidly shifting weather, and patchy mobile connectivity make it essential to be prepared.
What most people don’t think about before leaving: what actually happens in a genuine emergency up there?
This guide covers every emergency contact number you need for Chardham Yatra 2026, along with verified hospital details for all four Dham routes. Every figure here is sourced from official Uttarakhand government press releases (March–April 2026) and confirmed news reports. Nothing random. Nothing generic. Save these numbers before you leave — not after you need them.
Save every number below on your phone before the journey starts. Also write them on paper — mountain areas frequently have no signal, and you cannot search in a panic.
| Service | Number | When to Use |
| Police Control Room | 112 | Accidents, crime, missing persons |
| Ambulance (Primary) | 108 | Medical emergency, cardiac arrest, injuries |
| Ambulance (Alternate) | 102 | Medical transport if 108 unreachable |
| Fire Brigade | 101 | Fire at hotel, vehicle, forest |
| SEOC – State Disaster | 1070 / 0135-2710334 | Landslides, floods, major disasters |
| DEOC – District Level | 1077 | District emergencies & rescue coordination |
| Tourism Helpline | 0135-1364 | Registration, e-pass, general Yatra queries |
| Multilingual Helpline | 104 | Help in 13 languages — 24×7 |
| Women’s Helpline | 1090 | Harassment, safety complaints by women |
| Anti-Corruption | 1064 | Illegal demands by operators or officials |
| Child Helpline | 1098 | Lost child, child in distress |
| Cyber Crime | 1930 | Online fraud, UPI/payment scams |
The Uttarakhand government launched a comprehensive healthcare overhaul for the 2026 Yatra season, announced officially on March 17, 2026 by Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat through the e-Swasthya Dham initiative. Here is exactly what is deployed — all figures from verified government sources:
Note on ambulance figures: Some earlier planning articles from 2025 mentioned ‘154 ambulances’ — that was the 2025 season target. The confirmed 2026 deployment figure is 177 ambulances, as officially announced by Uttarakhand Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat on March 17, 2026 (Newsonair/All India Radio).
Below is a district-wise list of government hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs) serving each Dham route. Contact numbers are sourced from official Uttarakhand Health Department records. Call ahead when possible — mobile signal near the temples can be unreliable.
Rudraprayag district covers the entire Kedarnath Yatra route. Gaurikund is the last road-reachable point — from there, pilgrims trek 16–18 km uphill to reach the temple at 11,755 ft. The District Hospital Rudraprayag and the new 50-bed hospital at Kedarnath (operational from April 2026) are the primary care points.
| Hospital / Facility | Contact Number | Location | Key Specialties |
| District Hospital Rudraprayag | 8938062775 | Rudraprayag Town | Orthopaedics, General Surgery, ENT, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology |
| CHC Augustmuni | 9501968083 | Augustmuni (Kedarnath route) | Paediatric Medical Management, General Care |
| CHC Jakholi | 7055632408 | Jakholi | General Care |
| New 50-Bed Hospital, Kedarnath | — (Operated by State Govt) | Kedarnath Temple area | Oxygen support, Emergency ward, Critical care, High-altitude sickness (Operational from April 2026) |
| Swami Vivekanand Charitable Hospital, Kedarnath | Contact via route MRP | Near Kedarnath Dham | Pilgrim first aid & emergency (Seasonal) |
Chamoli district covers the Badrinath Dham route. Badrinath is road-accessible — making it the most accessible of the four Dhams for elderly pilgrims. Joshimath serves as the key transit town. Gopeshwar (district HQ) has the main referral hospital, and the new 50-bed hospital at Badrinath adds significant on-ground capacity in 2026.
| Hospital / Facility | Contact Number | Location | Key Specialties |
| NS Bhandari Memorial District Hospital, Gopeshwar | 7668377541 | Gopeshwar, Chamoli | General Surgery, ENT, Orthopaedics, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Paediatrics |
| CHC Joshimath | 9917118242 | Near Narsingh Mandir, Joshimath | Gynaecology, Paediatric Management |
| CHC Karanprayag | 8475076045 | Karanprayag | Surgery, Orthopaedics, ENT, Oncology, Gynaecology, Paediatrics |
| CHC Gairsain | 9582479042 | Gairsain, Chamoli | Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics |
| CHC Tharali | 6395423255 | Tharali | Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics |
| CHC Pokhari | 9761804595 | Vinayakdhar | Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics |
| CHC Ghat | 7895126155 | CHC Ghat | Paediatrics, Gynaecology |
| Arihant Advanced Surgical Centre | 7055705579 | Main Badrinath Road, Chamoli | Emergency, General Surgery, General Medicine |
| New 50-Bed Hospital, Badrinath | — (Operated by State Govt) | Badrinath Temple area | Oxygen support, Emergency ward, Critical care (Operational from April 2026) |
Uttarkashi district covers both Gangotri and Yamunotri. Gangotri is road-accessible via Uttarkashi town. Yamunotri requires a 5–6 km trek from Janki Chatti (Barkot is the base town). The District Hospital Uttarkashi is the primary referral point — serious cases are transferred to AIIMS Rishikesh.
| Hospital / Facility | Contact Number | Location | Key Specialties |
| District Hospital Uttarkashi | 9412394912 | Uttarkashi Town | ENT, General Surgery, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics |
| CHC Chinyalisour | 8979353440 | Chinyalisour, Uttarkashi | General Care |
| CHC Naugaon | 8755805188 | Naugaon, Uttarkashi | General Care |
| CHC Purola | 8859515594 | Purola, Uttarkashi | Paediatric Care |
| Swami Vivekanand Charitable Hospital, Gangotri | Contact via route MRP | Near Gangotri Dham | Pilgrim first aid & emergency (Seasonal) |
Any life-threatening emergency from any of the four Dhams ultimately gets referred to these hospitals via ambulance or helicopter. These are the end-point nodes of the Uttarakhand emergency chain:
| Hospital | City | Contact | Role in Chardham Emergency System |
| AIIMS Rishikesh | Rishikesh | 0135-2462900 | Primary helicopter-receiving hospital. Operates helicopter ambulance for Yatra emergencies. Government’s top referral node. |
| Doon Medical College & Hospital | Dehradun | 0135-2758300 | Major government referral centre for critical pilgrim cases transferred from Yatra route. |
| Srinagar Medical College | Srinagar, Garhwal | 01346-252162 | Tertiary referral centre for Badrinath-Kedarnath corridor cases. Closer than Rishikesh. |
| Shri Guru Ram Rai Hospital | Dehradun | 0135-2520700 | Multi-specialty private referral hospital for Dehradun-based evacuation cases. |
The 2026 season has 25 active Medical Relief Posts covering all four Yatra routes, spaced every 3 km — down from the previous 8–10 km spacing. Each MRP has a doctor or trained paramedic, oxygen supply, basic medicines, and communication equipment:
| Dham Route | No. of MRPs (2026) | Spacing | Key Points Covered |
| Kedarnath Route | 8 MRPs | Every 3 km | Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Jungle Chatti, Bheembali, Lincholi, Rambada, Kedarnath base |
| Badrinath Route | 7 MRPs | Every 3 km | Joshimath, Govindghat, Pandukeshwar, Badrinath approach |
| Gangotri Route | 5 MRPs | Every 3 km | Uttarkashi, Harsil, Lanka, Gangotri approach |
| Yamunotri Route | 4 MRPs | Every 3 km | Barkot, Janki Chatti, trek route to Yamunotri |
Stay calm. Work through these steps in order:
| Item | Who Needs It | Details |
| Pre-travel medical check-up | Mandatory for age 55+; advised for all | BP, blood sugar, ECG minimum |
| ‘Fit to Travel’ Certificate | Mandatory for age 55+ or with conditions | Issued at 13 screening points from Rishikesh |
| Pulse Oximeter | All pilgrims — strongly recommended | Monitor SpO2 at high altitude checkpoints |
| Personal prescription medicines | All pilgrims taking regular medication | Carry 7–10 extra days’ supply beyond trip duration |
| ORS sachets | All pilgrims | Essential for dehydration at altitude |
| Paracetamol & basic first aid | All pilgrims | For headaches, fever, minor injuries |
| Altitude sickness medication | Recommended for Kedarnath / Badrinath | Consult your doctor about Acetazolamide (Diamox) |
| Written emergency numbers | All pilgrims — non-negotiable | Copy this article’s numbers before you go |
| Travel insurance with air evacuation | Strongly recommended | Ensure policy covers helicopter evacuation from remote areas |
| Chardham Yatra e-Pass | Mandatory for all pilgrims | registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — Aadhaar required |
Q1. What is the ambulance number for Chardham Yatra 2026?
The primary ambulance number is 108. An alternate line is 102. Both are active 24×7 across Uttarakhand. In 2026, 177 ambulances are deployed across all four Yatra routes — including advanced life support and cardiac ambulances. This was confirmed by Uttarakhand Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat on March 17, 2026.
Q2. Is there a hospital at Kedarnath temple in 2026?
Yes — for the first time in 2026, a 50-bed hospital has been established at Kedarnath Dham, announced by Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat in February 2026. It is equipped with oxygen support, an emergency ward, and critical care facilities. Previously, only basic Medical Relief Posts were available. The nearest full government hospital remains District Hospital Rudraprayag (8938062775).
Q3. What is the Uttarakhand government helpline for Chardham Yatra 2026?
The official Uttarakhand Tourism helpline is 0135-1364. For state-level emergencies (landslides, disasters), call 1070 (toll-free). For multilingual assistance in 13 languages, dial 104 (active 24×7). For police, dial 112.
Q4. Which hospital is nearest to Badrinath temple?
A new 50-bed hospital is now operational at Badrinath itself (from April 2026). For advanced care, the nearest full district hospital is NS Bhandari Memorial District Hospital in Gopeshwar (7668377541). CHC Joshimath (9917118242) is also close and handles routine emergencies for pilgrims in transit.
Q5. How does the helicopter ambulance work during Chardham Yatra?
The helicopter ambulance is operated through AIIMS Rishikesh and is activated for life-threatening emergencies only. You cannot book it directly. To request it, call 108 or 1070 — the emergency coordination team at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) triggers the deployment. The helicopter can airlift pilgrims directly to AIIMS Rishikesh or Doon Medical College.
Q6. What should I do if I get altitude sickness at Kedarnath?
Stop immediately. Do not push forward. Sit down, breathe slowly. If a Swasthya Mitra is nearby (stationed every 2 km with portable oxygen), alert them. If symptoms worsen — confusion, inability to walk, chest tightness — call 108 and start descending toward Gaurikund. The new 50-bed hospital at Kedarnath base also has oxygen wards for this exact situation.
Q7. What hospitals are available on the Gangotri Yatra route?
The main government hospital is District Hospital Uttarkashi (9412394912). Along the route, CHC Chinyalisour (8979353440) and CHC Naugaon (8755805188) provide general care. A seasonal charitable hospital run by Swami Vivekanand Health Mission operates near Gangotri Dham during the pilgrimage season.
Q8. Is medical check-up mandatory for Chardham Yatra 2026?
Yes — mandatory for pilgrims above 55 years and those with conditions like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or hypertension. There are 13 primary screening points between Rishikesh and Jankichatti where BP, blood sugar, and ECG checks are done. A ‘Fit to Travel’ certificate is issued before proceeding. Younger, healthy pilgrims are advised to get checked too — altitude affects everyone differently.
Q9. What is e-Swasthya Dham and how does it help pilgrims?
The e-Swasthya Dham portal is an Uttarakhand government initiative launched for the 2026 Yatra season. It allows real-time health monitoring of pilgrims at high-altitude checkpoints. When you register for the Yatra, you fill health information — the system flags high-risk travelers, and medical staff at screening points are alerted to monitor them more closely. It is accessible via the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app.
Q10. Which Dham is safest for elderly or heart patients?
Badrinath is the safest — the road goes right to the temple, no trekking required. Gangotri is also road-accessible. Yamunotri has a 5–6 km trek that can be done by pony or palki. Kedarnath has the highest physical demand (16–18 km trek, 11,755 ft altitude) — for heart patients, helicopter yatra booked through IRCTC is the recommended option. Carry a cardiologist’s clearance certificate.
Q11. How do I report overcharging by a transport operator on the Yatra route?
Call the Anti-Corruption Helpline at 1064. Note the vehicle number, operator name, and exact location. You can also report to the Traffic Helpline at 7300702033 or file a complaint at the nearest police checkpost. The Tourist Care Uttarakhand app also has a grievance reporting option.
Q12. Is travel insurance required for Chardham Yatra?
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended. There is no government pilgrim insurance scheme for medical emergencies as of 2026. Buy a private travel insurance policy before starting the journey — ensure it specifically covers helicopter air evacuation, as standard policies often exclude this. An air evacuation from Kedarnath to AIIMS Rishikesh without insurance can be financially significant.
Q13. Are there Swami Vivekanand charitable hospitals on the route?
Yes — the Swami Vivekanand Health Mission runs seasonal charitable hospitals at both Kedarnath Dham and Gangotri Dham during the pilgrimage season. They offer basic emergency care and first aid to pilgrims at no charge. For non-emergency care, these are useful first stops before reaching district hospitals. Contact the nearest Medical Relief Post to reach them if unsure of location.
Q14. What are the symptoms of altitude sickness to watch for?
Early symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): persistent headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, and fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. Severe AMS: confusion, inability to walk straight, breathlessness at rest, lips or fingernails turning blue. If you or someone near you shows severe symptoms above 10,000 ft — descend immediately and call 108.
Q15. Where can I verify updated hospital information for the Yatra route?
The official Uttarakhand Health Department portal (sha.uk.gov.in) has a complete hospital directory. For Yatra-specific updates, the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app and the registration portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) are updated during the season. The Tourism helpline 0135-1364 can also direct you to the correct facility for your location.
Chardham Yatra is not just a journey — for millions of families, it is a life goal. Elderly parents who have waited decades to visit Kedarnath, couples who planned this pilgrimage for years, first-time solo travelers who need the clarity only the Himalayas can offer. The journey deserves that same seriousness in preparation.
In 2026, the Uttarakhand government has made its most significant investment in pilgrim healthcare to date: 177 ambulances, new 50-bed hospitals at both Kedarnath and Badrinath, 25 Medical Relief Posts spaced every 3 km, 100 health volunteers on trekking routes, a helicopter ambulance via AIIMS Rishikesh, and a real-time digital health monitoring system. The safety net is there.
Your part is straightforward: save these numbers, carry your medicines, register honestly, and listen to your body at altitude. That is all it takes to complete the Yatra and come home.
Har Har Mahadev. Jai Badri Vishal.
━━━ Verified Sources ━━━
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