Various problems like the potholes dotting the highway, absence of regular power supply and other factors are still preventing the pilgrimage to Gangotri from being undertaken as claimed by the authorities.
Considering reports from local sources, this correspondent had many apprehensions while starting the 230 kilometres journey from New Tehri to Gangotri.
The highway to Gangotri is dotted by potholes and ditches at various locations which accounts for a bumpy ride till Chinyalisaud after which the quality of the road improves a bit. However, the damaged condition of the road from Gyansu to Uttarkashi town is causing major inconvenience to the locals and tourists coming here from across India and abroad.
Due to the damage caused by the last disaster in Uttarkashi, flood protection work is under progress here. The signs of the disaster are still visible along the road from Uttarkashi to Bhatwadi with the road being damaged at various spots. The Public Works Department is now working on this road but locals complain that due to its inferior quality, the work done by the PWD will be washed away in one spell of rain.
The authorities appear apathetic towards the various sensitive zones along the road from Bhatwadi to Sukki Top. The damaged bridge of the Border Roads Organisation at Jhalla is also in need of attention. The BRO has put up a warning for heavy vehicles to make their passengers disembark before crossing the bridge but vehicles loaded with heavy luggage are using this bridge without any precaution. Work is on for double laning the stretch of the highway between Bhaironghati and Gangotri. Reaching Gangotri one is greeted by the sight of snow covered high Himalayan peaks.
Though pilgrims had started arriving at Gangotri after it was reopened to the public on May 2, facilities here are still not up to the mark. During the night, shopkeepers in the market depend on generators, battery powered lights and candles for light in absence of proper power supply. The bathing ghats have not been repaired due to which bathing in the river is slightly riskier for some pilgrims. The debris left by last year’s disaster have not been cleared from various places around Gangotri. Garbage containers have been placed around the Gangotri shrine but evidently, a proper system for disposal of the garbage from these containers has not been put in place.
Facilities like disruption-free power supply and toilets for travelers are still missing from the route and Gangotri. When this correspondent talked to pilgrims from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and other States visiting Gangotri, they said that the State Government had not made proper arrangements for those undertaking the pilgrimage.