The State Government’s relentless efforts to rescue State’s pilgrims stranded in Uttarakhand have started showing results. A team of four officers from the State landed by helicopter at Gauri Kund on Saturday and started bringing back the stranded pilgrims to Joshi Muth. On Sunday, efforts were made to bring back pilgrims stranded at Badrinath to Joshi Muth. This was informed, during review of arrangements being done by disaster management in Uttarakhand, by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here on Sunday.
The CM directed that all collectors should collect information about pilgrims gone to Uttarakhand from their respective districts. During the meeting, Chief Minister held discussions over telephone with Culture Minister laxmikant Sharma, who is coordinating relief and rescue operations in Haridwar. It was informed that arrangement of 10 buses has been made at Haridwar to bring back State’s pilgrims. The State Government is looking for light weight helicopter in entire country for deployment in Uttarakhand. One helicopter is coming from Bengaluru. Heavyweight helicopters face difficulties in landing in Uttarakhand. In view of possibility of rains, the Chief Minister directed all the districts to ensure security arrangements and exercise more caution.
It was informed that roads in Uttarakhand’s affected areas are clearing up gradually. A track has been laid between Badrinath and Joshi Muth to bring pilgrims. All citizens including 350 pilgrims have been evacuated from Gauri Kund. Meanwhile, 500 pilgrims have reached Madhya Pradesh’s camp at Shanti Kunj, Haridwar. Pilgrims stranded at Harsil and Sukhitap are being brought to Mathli from where they will leave by road.
Chief Secretary R Parasuram, DGP Home Guards RK Shukla, Principal Secretary to CM Manoj Shrivastava, ADGP Vivek Jauhari and secretary to CM SK Mishra attended the meeting.