The flow of those rescued in Uttarakhand and headed for various parts of Punjab continued on Wednesday with the arrival of 1200 more pilgrims from Rishikesh. Punjab Government officials said that the total number of pilgrims so far evacuated from different parts of Uttarakhand is now around 7500.
A spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that more than 1800 Pilgrims were on the way to Rishikesh from Nagrasu Gurdwara in the buses of Punjab Police and other mode of State transportation.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal lauded the pro-active role of rescue teams, including Punjab Police personnel and officials of other departments, who were working in this difficult hour. He instructed the teams deputed by State Government to ensure the safe return of all the pilgrims from Punjab to their homes.
A. Venu Prasad, Secretary Housing, Punjab, who was stationed in Uttarakhand to monitor the operations, said that the mass arrival of Pilgrims has become possible after resumption flow of traffic on Srinagar-Chamoli road with the efforts of Border Road Organisation. He said that more than 50 buses of Punjab Government had already been sent to Nagrasu to bring back the Pilgrims and more than 25 buses has been arrived at Rishikesh.
Prasad said that the Chopper of Punjab Government evacuated more than 94 Pilgrims from Badrinath, who were safely landed at base camp of Joshi Math on Wednesday. He said that the majority of Pilgrims evacuated from Badrinath were of other states. The Special Trekking Team deployed by Punjab Government has been sent to Badrinath for the assistance of other agencies engaged in rescue operations. He said that this team will work in coordination with the Indian Army.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has now deputed Secretary Forests Mandeep Singh in place of Secretary Housing & Urban Development A. Venu Prasad to further oversee the relief and rescue operations in Uttarakhand.