Getting an Inner Line permit in Uttarkashi

jyotipg

Hi,

Before starting for kalindi, we need to get a permot from the SDM office in Uttarkashi. Has anyone done it earlier?? How much time does it takes?? and how much money does it cost?

My guide says that he will hanlde it but its mandataory now to show your face in the SDM offfice before they really give you the permit..

Anyone been thorugh thsi recently?

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livedead

hello,
we did kalindi pass in the month of june...we started on 21st june from gangotri and reached badrinath on 1st july...well for the innerline permit..we had to go to the SDM's office and show our faces,any photo id would be fine...we got the permit the same day...no hassels i believe...we got a very beautiful pass day...was fantastic..any more questions..shoot..i hope this helps you..

guidedeba

Just to add some more to livedead>>>>>>. let your guide handle it . because there is a system of paying a mandatory speed money to two clerks (at DM office & SP office) and they are a little hesitant to take it from your hand. But I was sure of it because they took it from our team in front of me from Pitambar (500 each place) our Agent. And all went hassle free except that waiting in the a/noon for showing our face to that stupid SDM.

P.S.don't forget to carry some kind of identity (PAN etc.)+ xerox of that and two copies of your photo D.S.

livedead

hey debuda...we paid some money haa....i didnt know that..ofcourse it was u and pitambar who was handling it..

Dilliwala

It's info like this that bothers me, becos it spreads the wrong notion around that permits can only be had after paying "speed money" (cute euphemism).

Different season, different year, different route, but I obtained a permit from the same SDM's office in Uttarkashi to drive to Gangotri in the off-season (March '04).
Time taken: All of 15 minutes.
Cost in rupees: 0 (Rupees Zero only). Even the pen and paper was theirs.

If anyone feels they are getting shafted by agents or SDM staff, ask assertively to see the SDM, or even the DM. These permits are free (as has been confirmed by other travellers in other areas). If they were not, u wud get an official govt receipt for them. There's no way a govt office in this land can collect official money and not account for it. Remember, we have the best bureaucracy in the world!

nyraghu

Indeed, all this innuendo about routine bribes for permits, and the loose talk about "that stupid SDM," bothers me, as well.

Regarding permits, I once got a permit for going to Gorson bugiyal from Auli, and the Forest Department person at the Auli Ropeway UTP took the money from me, and gave me a perfectly valid receipt stating the amount paid, and the names of the people. Ditto on another trek, this time to Dodital; I got the permit myself at the Forest Department check post in Sangam Chatti, above Uttarkashi. Finally, just a few days ago, I received a permit from the DFO in Joshimath for a trek across the Kuari Pass, which clearly stated the amount I paid.

As for aspersions on that SDM in Uttarkashi, in a forum that most probably does not include him, the less said the better.

Raghu.

Dilliwala

Thanks for clarifying, Raghu. I shud have pointed out also the difference between Inner-Line/Restricted-Area permits (free) issued by District Admin, and 'janglat' permits issued by Forest Dept/DFO for entering forest areas, espesh in regard to trekking.
Indeed, to enter areas controlled by the Forest Dept, it is the norm that fees are collected, against a receipt.

Rajeev Bora

Can someone kindly reply back with the process for the inner line permits for trekking to kalindi and towwards Kumaon himalayas. I believe the offices at uttarkashi and Dharchula are responsible for this but could someone pleez let me know what are their requirements. As I read from this thread no bribes are essential. Thanks in advance!

sanku.sinharoy

This year me and my friend would like to go to Kalindi Pass in Sep08. But i have heard that DM has published a new rule that trekking team should have Satelite Phone , otherwise they wouldnt get any permission. I dont know how do we get Sattelite phone. Can anybody halp me out regarding this issue.

Dilliwala

Satellite phones are very expensive, even to hire. I have doubts whether this requirement actually exists, as it will effectively rule out this trek for 99% of Indians attempting it. But unless you know someone personally who experienced this, I will suggest to clear this point directly at Uttarkashi with the SDM, or even the DM.

AvidTrekker

Indians will be ruled out one hundred per cent. I have a friend who owns a sat phone. He paid some six lakhs for it in 1989 (briefcase styled computer-phone, outdated now). Even modern Thuraya "cellphone-cum satphone" handsets cost some 30,000 rupees today.

And the call rate is is 4 USD per minute or so.

It is illegal for an Indian citizen to own a satphone without written permission from the Telecom Dept, altho many Indians own it and use it clandestinely.

How will the SDM's in Uttaranchal make this legal? By overturning a Central Govt Rule ??

Kyaa Baat hai.

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Dilliwala

Oh, the SDM's will have a simple answer - "Go and get permission from Telecom Dept then!"

sanku.sinharoy

I have spoken with DM and he is asking for the Sattelite phone as last year one Russian Team was in trouble during crossing the Kalindi Pass. They have few casualties in the last year , so DM has generated this rule effective from May2008. If the rul consist , i hardly think any Indian Trekker can move in that route anymore..

Dilliwala

In other words, they basically don't WANT anyone going to Kalindi Khal!

Cud just have announced a straight-forward ban in that case.
But that wud have been too simple.

"Nahi, ham to rok nahi rahe, bas aap sat-phone le aaiye!"