Tourism Minister Amrita Rawat raised objection on holding responsible tourism department for any mismanagement in Chardham Yatra, saying it was “wrong”. She convened a meeting to review the preparations for the Chardham Yatra, which is schedule to begin by April 13, of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) on Thursday.
The Minister said, “Making tourism department accountable for any mismanagement is not right.”
The Minister directed other departments, including potable water, medical, transport, local body and panchayat to perform their duties sincerely. She said that an operator should be deployed with each mule for 14 km long walk way leads to Kedarnath Dham.
She also passed instruction for making proper arrangements for decantation of scat. She directed that complete ban should be ensured on trucks and motorcycles for Hemkund Sahib Yatra. Neighbouring states, including Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh cunterparts should be intimated about the ban through a proper communiqué.
Simultaneously, ban on the vehicles should be propagated properly in order to make people aware about it. The minister asked the officials to ensure strict action against the travel agents found charging more than the fixed rates of fare. She also laid emphasis on creating awareness among the people for travelling through the authorised travel agencies.
She directed the representative of Sulabh International to prepare the temporary toilets along the route by first week of May. She asked the officials to ensure proper sanitation on the route during the Yatra.
The minister asked the tourism secretary to make available estimate for disposal of garbage collected from route.
The minister directed Garhwal Commissioner to present the estimate required for setting up medical camps, including Jangalchatti, Rambada, and Jhingurpaani. She said that police personnel must be included in training for paramedical staff scheduled in Uttarkashi- April 23, Rudraprayag- April 25 and Gopeshwar -April 26 by GVK EMRI so that in case of emergency the police personnel may extend assistance to the paramedical staff.
She also passed instructions for ensuring sufficient availability of oxygen, medicine and medical equipments. Drivers not holding hill licenses should not be allowed for driving vehicles on the route in hilly terrains. It should be ensured effectively and devotees should be transmitted from local vehicles. She also stressed upon making hill license mandatory for light vehicles.
The minister also asked the officials that regular checking should be carried to ensure supply of adulteration free articles. It should also be ensured that temporary depots have arrangements for storing sufficient foodgrains, diesel, patrol and kerosene. She said that it should be ensured that water tanks start functioning for sure by first week of May. She said that toll free number should be displayed on the tanks for lodging the complaints.
She directed the police department to ensure proper deployment of force for safety and peaceful passage of the Yatra. Additional arrangements of water police, divers and fire unit should also be made available. The minister also asked the officials to ensure proper decoration of guest houses of Mandir Samiti, GMVN and hotels. She appealed for cooperation from Gangotri and Yamunotri Mandir Samiti. Preparation related to wood and electricity was also reviewed during the meeting.
Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj stressed to make proper arrangement of first aid for the cardiac patients and air ambulance facility to those who can bear its expense. He said that cooperation of Insurance companies should also be sought to make the Yatra safe. Cooperation should be taken from telecommunication companies to apprise the devotees about the updates on google. He directed the Border Road Organisation (BRO) to make proper arrangements for alternative routes in case of landslide. liquor should be completely banned on the route. A brochure carrying details of various places should be made available to the devotees so that they could have an idea about various religious and tourist places.