The Gangotri shrine —one of the Char Dhams where Ganga is worshipped — has not been linked to the power grid even this year. The two power projects of Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) were supplying power to Gangotri till last year but even these are closed this year due to technical problems. With generators being used to supply power to Gangotri during the night time, the thick black smoke from this generator is polluting the verdant Gangotri valley.
The Gangotri shrine situated at 3,000 feet altitude has started getting visitors with commencement of the Char Dham pilgrimage on Friday, but the shops and ashrams of the area are without power supply. For the time being the electricity to the Gangotri temple is being supplied by generators. In the past, UREDA’S 100 KW project was supplying power to this dham but its power channels were damaged in the heavy rains last year, shutting the power generation. The power channels of this project have not been repaired on time. A 25 KW unit of the UREDA had started operating last year, but is out of working order this year due to technical problem.
Though the Gangotri shrine was reopened to the public on Friday, the temple compound, markets and ashrams are facing power shortage. The lighting at the roads and bathing ghats at night time is also hit. The temple committee is managing power supply with generators at necessary places.