The National Highway-58 to Badrinath remained blocked for traffic on the third day running due to debris from landslides at Hathi Parvat near Marwadi. Though the Government claims to have made alternative arrangements, many pilgrims heading for Badrinath were seen returning from Joshimath due to the blocked highway. The Border Roads Organisation is working to clear the highway which is expected to be reopened for traffic shortly.
The stretch of NH-58 for about 10 km down Joshimath has been blocked by debris since Tuesday. The debris were less initially but by Wednesday night considerable debris landed on the road following boulder fall and landslide. Debris have continued to fall on the road from above increasing the problems being faced by the BRO in clearing the road.
A BRO official sustained injury from falling debris on Wednesday and though attempts were being made on Thursday to clear the road, debris falling from above are hampering the task.
Many vehicles are stuck in the Badrinath region with the passengers walking through the alternative route from Vishnuprayag to Marwadi. From here, the pilgrims were taken to Joshimath in army vehicles. Some pilgrims were taken by helicopter from Govindghat to Joshimath. However, many pilgrims are turning from Joshimath without visiting Badrinath. BRO officials state that with weather improving, the highway will be cleared soon for traffic. How soon the BRO can clear the debris off the highway will also depend on the weather.
The locals say that notwithstanding the Government claims of adequate arrangements for the yatra as also the alternative arrangements being made for the stranded pilgrims, the hindrance in the Badrinath pilgrimage just a few days of the shrine reopening is sending a wrong message to the public.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma said that the earthquake that rocked Nepal on April 25 has been causing a slide since April 28. On Thursday morning, a major slide occurred. Resultantly, huge boulders and debris came crashing down, damaging a 150 metre stretch of roads. He said three machines had got buried under the debris. “We are all set to re-open the route by May 2”, he averred.
“Acting on our roadmap, PWD Secretary Amit Negi, Secretary, Disaster, R Meenakshi Sundaram and IG Garhwal Sanjay Kumar Gunjyal rushed to the spot and reached by 8.40 am. They constituted three teams deployed at Badrinath, Pandukeshwar and Govind Dham. Even we have taken help of ITBP Joshimath. Meanwhile, we have also started evacuating the pilgrims via an alternate route which stretches two kilometer more than the normal one”, he said, adding that the yatra is on with the routes being changed.
“Currently, we have deployed helicopter and also we have kept seven helicopters at Guptkashi on ready mode. Even we have made arrangements of 20/25 small vehicles, which would ferry pilgrims from Govindghat to Badrinath, free of cost. Similar arrangements are being made for them from Govindghat to Rishikesh”, Sharma said.