The State Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj inspected arrangements for pilgrimage at Badrinath and expressed satisfaction at the preparations.
Earlier the minister took an aerial inspection of travel arrangements to Badrinath. After inspecting Badrinath township, the minister addressed a Press conference at the guest house of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) stating that all arrangements have been made at Badrinath.
Stating that the national highways authority is working on the treatment of the slide zone at lambagad, the minister also directed officials concerned to ensure that this stretch of the highway remains open during the Yatra period in order to prevent any inconvenience to the pilgrims. Sulabh Shauchalayas are being construction, apart from which vans will also be provided to facilitate treatment of pilgrims in case of sickness or injuries caused by accident. In addition to this, the insurance of the pilgrims will be done by the Manav Utthan Sewa Samiti, said the minister. Referring to his recent meeting with the union tourism minister Mahesh Sharma, Maharaj recalled that he had talked about developing winter tourism and various other aspects of tourism in Uttarakhand.
The Chamoli district magistrate Vinod Kumar Suman, superintendent of police Preeti Bhatt, R Subramanyam of the Border Roads Organisation and ITBP commandant PK Tiwari were also among those present at the Press conference.