With rescue work in Uttarakhand still on, Punjab Police's 13-member mountaineering squad is in the hill State to assist the pilgrims, who had gone ahead of Gobind Ghat, and were attempting to walk back from the devastation of Alakhnanda river.
Officials here said that a road-section of about 14 kms had been washed away between Gobind Ghat and Hanumanchatti, including the only bridge and the barrage of the 400 megawatt Jaypee lamagarh Power Project. The pilgrims didn’t have any option but to walk along the Alakhnanda river to cross this stretch, which involved a risky mountainous trek at some places.
Along with the Indian Army, the Punjab Police Squad put up fixed ropes at these stretches with the help of Tyrolean Traverse, to ensure a safe passage to the pilgrims and prevent them from falling into the gushing waters of the raging Alaknanda river.
These ropes were the only way down from Badrinath. About 800 people were assisted through these crossing over the ropes over a period of 2-3 days, and the Punjab Police squad worked non-stop while operating these ropes.
The Indian Army had two ropes, and the Punjab Police operated as a post multiplier by setting up 2 more pulley-cable systems.