Following on the instruction of the State Government, Chief Secretary along with Additional Chief Secretary have visited to Harshil to review the ongoing construction work in disaster affected areas of the State on Thursday.
The Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar reached Harshil and reviewed the present state of Gangotri National Highway. The CS reviewed the route from Harshil to Maneri by road and gave directions to repair the damaged patches before char dhaam yatra begins. These patches were damaged due to landslides. The repair and road widening work will be carried out by PWD and BRO.
The work from Harshil to Bhatwadi will be carried out by PWD whereas work from Bhatwadi to Maneri will be undertaken by PWD.
He gave directions to increase the pace of work and said that he will again conduct a review visit on 15thApril. He added that it is important to carry out repair work under any circumstances so that pilgrims can visit the temples without any problem. He added that we will have to prove that both Gangotri and Yamunotri are safe for tourists.
He also said that the land slide zones will be provided with adequate machines so that the road can be cleared during disaster.
On his return, the CM met the disaster affected people in Bhatwadi and heard their problems.
He said that that the government has declared that if a house owner has suffered losses on a house constructed on government land, he still will get compensation. Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma said that there has been an increase in the compensation amount. Bhatwadi is a land slide sensitive zone and experts have been advised to shift people from their area. For this he also instructed ADM to identify land to be allotted to people, who will be removed from here.
During the visit, the local MlA Gangotri Vijaypal Singh Sajwan apprised the CS about the problems of the local residents. Also present on the occasion were Secretary PWD Amit Negi, DM Shridhar Babu and other officials.