Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), which fixed a business target worth Rs 38 crore during this yatra season by October, did a business worth only Rs 4 crore during the month long duration when the yatra was in progress. The GMVN, now, battles to recover from the massive losses caused by the disaster.
The Nigam has written to State Government to extend assistance to it to compensate the loss. Sources in the GMVN said that the Nigam fixed a business target worth Rs 38 crore, which was 20 percent more than that of last season when it earned around Rs 32 crore.
Scene changed after June 16 and 17, shattering business hope of the Nigam. People cancelled bookings in the guest houses and the Nigam's rest and guest houses served the pilgrims at various locations for free. State Government ordered the GMVN to provide all the facilities to the pilgrims.
“Nigam provided free of cost facilities, including food, lodging to the pilgrims after the disaster. Nigam also ensured shifting of the people to the stations,” General Manager (Tourism/Administration) GMVN HD Pande said, adding that moreover, people started cancellation of bookings and some of them asked for the refund.
The nigam's properties worth Rs 40 crore were washed away or damaged in the disaster. Altogether, it suffered heavy damage. He said that the Nigam had to refund Rs 2 crore to the pilgrims against cancellation of the booking. Nigam has apprised the government of the fact, requesting it to extend the support for reconstruction, Pande added.Pande said that Nigam would start reconstruction very soon. He said that the Nigam already started process for that.