A special plane carrying 163 pilgrims and stranded in Uttarakhand, arrived at the Raja Bhoj International Airport here on Monday evening. They were welcomed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra and Chief Minister's wife Sadhna.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had on Sunday directed the officials to hire a jet plane to ferry stranded pilgrims from Uttrakhand to Bhopal and Indore.
Of these, 77 pilgrims were sent to Jabalpur by 2 buses. Besides, 22 pilgrims of Sehore, 12 of Sagar, 7 of Shajapur, 38 of Ratlam, 1 each of Indore, Datia and Harda and two pilgrims each were sent to Ujjain and Khargone. Each bus carrying pilgrims was manned by driver, conductor, one revenue inspector or Patwari and 1 police personnel. Collectors of concerning districts were also intimated for ensuring safe return of the pilgrims to their homes.
The pilgrims having returned after facing nature's fury and extreme difficulties lauded the assistance given to them at Madhya Pradesh government's relief camp at Haridwar. They said that relief camp staff looked after the pilgrims in all respects, including food, water, medicines, etc. The pilgrims expressed happiness over the fact that they have returned safely with the help provided by the State government.
Through mobile phone, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan enquired about the well-being of Mandi Director Shiv Narayan Meena of Nasrullaganj in Sehore district, class XII student of Ratlam Himangani Sharma and priest of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Ratlam Pt lalit Sharma when they landed at the airport. The pilgrims lauded relief works by Madhya Pradesh government at Dehradun and Haridwar and expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister.
Notably, Religious Trusts and Endowment Minister laxmikant Sharma sent off the Boeing plane carrying rescued pilgrims in Uttarakhand tragedy from Dehradun. Before departure, pilgrims were also provided food and medicines.