The tall claims made by the departments concerned that the roads lead to Char Dham Yatra route would have been repaired before the season proved false as several potholes are easily noticeable along the route.
However, department officials claimed that majority of the roads and connecting routes were already repaired by the department before the season but rough weather in the higher and mountainous parts of State is being considered one of the major hindrances for repairing the roads especially after experiencing landslides and mudslides in the region.
Pilgrims and tourists from across the country have started visiting to Char Dham after it was declared open in the mid May after witnessing splendid rituals. Ironically, the roads leading to all four shrines especially on Gangotri and Yamunotri have developed cracks and the flow of traffic is reported to be disrupted.
Well established sources revealed that the condition of roads at Dunda, Bhatwadi, Hanumanchatti, Kanchanganga, lambaggad, Patalganga, Thirangu, Harshil, Nalupaani, Hailgugad, Gangpaani, Dabrani, Nalupaani, Sukki, Sunagar is not considered good.
Besides, the roads lead to Yamunotri shrine which includes Dharasu, Thunera, Kauthnaur, Raadi, Jardakhad, Tismela and Kiliyasain are also having potholes. One of the department sources who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that requisition has been sent to the department many for constructing and repairing road on the stretch of seven kilometres between Hanumanchatti and Kanchanganga but was requested on the environment grounds.
However, he claimed that stern instructions were already released to officials to repair roads especially main connecting routes for ensuring disrupted free flow of traffic along Char Dham Yatra route. It is not wrong to quote that the roads and connecting routes is worst in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts in Garhwal division of the State. Even though officials claimed that funds were already allocated for completing the beneficiary projects in the given time frame, but more concrete steps are yet to be taken by the contractors to meet with the deadlines.
It is also equally important to mention here is that the flow of traffic normally disrupts on the higher parts of the State especially in the Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag districts after experiencing heavy rainfall and natural calamites and the situation may deteriorates in the coming month during rainy season.
In an exclusive interaction with The Pioneer, Sudha Gupta, former chairman, Nagar Palika (Uttarkashi) lamented that the condition of roads while going towards Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarkashi district is worst for travelling. She said that departments concerned which are PWD and BRO is yet to take effective steps for redressing the grievance of those residents who are living in the mountainous parts of the State and those pilgrims who visit State.