The State Government planned to resume the Yatra to Kedarnath for a limited number of visitors on October 1. However, the route to this shrine is still not fit to be used by all visitors due to the rather fragile state of some stretches which can be further disturbed by rough weather conditions.
locals in the disaster-affected areas rue that the Government appears to be focused on resuming the Char Dham Yatra for a limited period instead of ensuring timely relief measures for the affected people in the remote rural areas of the State.
The State Government machinery is said to be working swiftly in order to provide answers to the queries of the National Green Tribunal on October 11 regarding relief measures taken in the disaster-hit Uttarakhand. It will be recalled that the State Government was unable to answer the NGT queries in the previous hearing on September 9. The State will have to answer queries on relief measures for welfare of the people, restoration of ecology, environment and loss of property on October 11, failing which the NGT has warned that it would seek the presence of the State Chief Secretary and other senior officers concerned in the field. Recently, chief secretary Subhash Kumar had visited Kedarnath and learnt that pre-fabricated huts that had been established in Kedarnath for 100 people and tents for 150 people. The authorities state that the pilgrimage to Kedarnath will be resumed in October. Since tourism and pilgrimage are major sources of income for people of Uttarakhand, this development will be welcomed.
However, people in some disaster affected remote rural areas are yet to receive the desired relief from the Government. The affected people state that in stead of focusing only on resumption of the Char Dham Yatra for a short period before the shrines are closed to the public for the winters, the State Government should also concentrate on ensuring that relief and rehabilitation measures are completed for all the disaster affected people without delay.
The advent of winters is not far with the Met office forecasting an early start of the winter season. Without proper shelter, road links and basic amenities, the disaster affected will suffer more if the relief and rehabilitation measures are not completed before the start of winters. It now remains to be seen whether the State is able to do the needful on time and satisfactorily answer queries put up by the NGT.