According to reports, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has launched Aadhaar-based authentication and eKYC (electronic know your customer) for pilgrims to register for the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra pilgrimages.

Registration for the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra started on March 20 and more than 750,000 pilgrims had used the Aadhaar-based online registration facility as of Wednesday morning.

It is aimed at reducing registration time and enhancing the overall experience for pilgrims. With Aadhaar-based online registration, authorities can monitor pilgrim movements, prepare better to avoid overcrowding at temples, and improve weather related information flow especially in high-altitude regions, according to reports.

The move is part of the Aadhaar nodal agency Unique Identification Authority of India’s efforts to hand-hold innovative initiatives of states to improve ease of living for people, the ministry says.

It is expected to help curb duplication of registrations, allowing more pilgrims to carry out the pilgrimages. Aadhaar-based digital verification is also expected to make the registration process faster while reducing paperwork.

Offline registration at designated centres continues as well.

Linking registration to Aadhaar can improve the planning and management of accommodations, transportation, food, and medical assistance by accurately reflecting the actual number of registered pilgrims, which in turn helps reduce both resource wastage and shortages.

Also Read: Different Industries' Growing Investments in Tech

Emergency situations can also be addressed better with improved coordination between pilgrims and authorities, as per reports.