The Uttarakhand Governor, Krishan Kant Paul, has accorded his approval to the proposal for setting up of a regular police station at Sonprayag. The notification will be issued on Monday, April 25. The Governor also ascertained the availability of a helicopter during the Char Dham Yatra period at Sonprayag to facilitate immediate transportation for tourists and pilgrims in need of emergency medical attention. These and other directions were issued by the Governor on Sunday during his site visit to Sonprayag, linchauli and Kedarnath to check the arrangements for the forthcoming Char Dham Yatra and disaster management preparedness.
At Sonprayag, the Governor issued instructions to the officials concerned to ensure necessary action, in addition to which some important decisions were also taken by him. Paul approved the establishment of regular police station at Sonprayag for which the necessary notification will be issued this Monday. Officials state that the availability of helicopter at Sonprayag has also been ensured during the Yatra season for emergency cases of tourists or pilgrims in need of immediate medical assistance. The early warning patrol system will also be started in this area as a result of which alerts will be issued in case of probability of any type of disaster on the Kedarnath pilgrimage route and in the area around the Chorabadi glacial lake. Similarly, the early warning alarm system will also be activated and remain operational. Paul also directed officials to further systematize the night halt facilities for pilgrims in the Kedarnath area. He also directed that a system be put in place to ensure that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel conduct continuous patrolling of the 16 kilometre long bridle path from Gaurikund to Kedarnath during the Yatra season to provide necessary assistance to pilgrims in any type of disaster scenario.
Officials stated that after completion of works expected to be completed in a week or so at some sites between Rudraprayag and Sonprayag, sensor equipment will be laid to relay information of any type of unusual geological activity. The governor further instructed officials to install light towers or use dragon lights to facilitate adequate lighting facility on the bridle path to Kedarnath though pilgrim movement is not allowed on this route after 6 PM. At linchauli, the Governor presided over a meeting with officials concerned giving various suggestions and directions for the facilitation of an uninterrupted Yatra to Kedarnath. He viewed the huts constructed and other things provided in the area for the pilgrims. He also talked to the temple committee officials regarding the renovation works at the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Sthal which was damaged during the June 2013 disaster.