As many as 5,562 pilgrims from the State were rescued by Madhya Pradesh's relief and rescue team during recent calamity in Uttarakhand. Besides, 1,850 pilgrims of other States were also rescued by State's team and moved to relief camps. As on Thursday, 541 pilgrims from the State are missing.
After reviewing Uttarakhand calamity situation on June 19, 2013, the Chief Minister had sent a relief team of State's nine officers headed by Endowment and Culture Minister laxmikant Sharma to Uttarakhand to rescue State's pilgrims. later, a team comprising 91 members was also sent in view of situation's gravity.
In Uttarakhand, team from Madhya Pradesh set up calamity assistance-cum-control and relief camps at Shanti Kunj, Rishikesh and Jolly Grant (Dehradun). The team rescued State's 5,562 pilgrims and provided them lodging, food and other necessary facilities at the camps.
The team provided medical assistance to 5,188 calamity affected people; from the camps, 1,106 pilgrims were brought to Bhopal and Indore by seven flights of special Boeing aircraft from where they were sent to their respective homes by rail, bus and other means. Assistance for travel expenses as per requirement was provided to 1,556 pilgrims and financial assistance to 2,931 for fuel in their vehicles.
Powers of Additional Relief Commissioner were given to the team leader Dr Sanjay Goyal for taking quick decisions regarding relief and rescue. State-level disaster management control room was opened at Bhopal to facilitate families of affected persons. Numbers of control room/helpline were published in newspapers.
Bhopal Collector was appointed as nodal officer and allocated Rs 2.30 crore for relief and rescue works. Funds were also allocated to Transport Commissioners to bring back affected pilgrims.
Regarding missing pilgrims, directives have been given to all collectors that if no information is received about them till July 8, then they should be declared presumed dead after completing comprehensive enquiry and provide Rs 2 lakh assistance each to their families.