Dehradun, April 21 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said that the Char Dham Yatra has become significantly more accessible, safe and convenient due to the widening and strengthening of pilgrimage routes undertaken with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister made the remarks while addressing devotees at a Srimad Bhagavat Katha ceremony at the Vanaprastha Ashram in Yamkeshwar area of Pauri district. During his address, Dhami said the Srimad Bhagavat represents the living embodiment of Lord Krishna and provides a positive direction to human life by guiding individuals on the path of righteousness, knowledge and devotion. He highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the state government to promote religious and cultural tourism in Uttarakhand. The chief minister said that "various ambitious public welfare projects are being implemented across the state to strengthen religious tourism and cultural heritage". He said that the "development works such as the construction of river ghats along the Yamuna river in the Kalsi-Haripur region, the Sharda Corridor and the Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor are expected to boost tourism and strengthen the local economy". Dhami also referred to the establishment of a Centre for Hindu Studies at Doon University, stating that the initiative will help promote the study of Indian culture, traditions and philosophy. Welcoming the chief minister, Renu Bisht, Yamkeshwar MLA, said development activities in the Yamkeshwar region have gained fresh momentum due to the sustained efforts of the state government and are benefiting local residents. During the event, Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, spiritual leader, who was narrating the Bhagavat Katha from the Vyas Peeth, spoke about the spiritual, cultural and ethical significance of the Srimad Bhagavat and urged devotees to follow the path of righteousness and devotion. Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, said that the Bhagavat Katha is not merely a religious gathering but a powerful medium to inspire society towards moral values, service and the ideals of humanity....