Yatra will resume soon, says Chief Minister

Exuding confidence that the Char Dham Yatra would resume in a day, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said on Friday that the suspension was for just 24 hours. “It would hopefully resume through all the routes by Saturday morning,” he assured, while appealing the people not to be panicky. “All the pilgrims either bound for Char Dhams or Hemkund Sahib are absolutely safe. Our district administrative officials are with them armed with modern gadgets like satellite phones to ensure communication between the pilgrims and their families,” he said. “They are having food provided by langar (community kitchen) run by Gurudwara,”  he added.  

Notably, Chief Minister Rawat returned to the Capital on Friday noon cutting short his Delhi visit in view of the developing situation. Immediately on arrival, he was closeted with the higher officials to review things. He directed the officials to be in touch with all the District Magistrates and provide every possible help immediately.

Rawat said the maiden spell of monsoon showers had damaged around six bridges, including one at Sonprayag on way to Kedarnath. To assess the damage wrought by rainfall, we have sent a high power committee led by advisor Ranjeet Rawat, additional chief secretary Rakesh Sharma, secretary Disaster R Meenakshisundaram, Secretary PWD Amit Negi and IG Sanjay Kumar Gunjyal and State minority commission chairman NS Bindra.

“Although it was heavy such rain is nothing unusual. Climate change is triggering it. We are aware that rains have wrought damage in Gujarat too with many having died. Here, a 100 meter stretch on way to Hemkund Sahib or Badrinath has been washed away at lambagad. It will take time to be restored, but we will restore the alternate route,” the CM said.

“Except Yamunotri, pilgrimage to other dhams, including Hemkund Sahib, were halted on Thursday. However,   Gangotri Dham Yatra resumed. On Saturday,  a Government delegation will go to Kedarnath for Reece and  following it,  the stalled Yatra would resume. As per the current status, no pilgrim is stuck at Kedarnath. We have evacuated 525 pilgrims by chopper. Only a 40 -member delegation of trekkers are staying at Gaurikund and they will move forward soon. Presently, trekkers,  priests (panda) and Government  officials are left at Kedarnath,” Rawat said.

Pointing at the media persons, he said the suspension might be breaking news for them. “However, on the ground, things are under control. We suspended the yatra as part of regulation. There is nothing to be worried about. In Alaknanda valley, the parking space and safety wall of a Gurudwara were damaged,” he  said.  

Notably, Chardham yatra as well as the pilgrimages to Hemkund and Mansarovar have been interrupted due to incessant rain and landslide triggered by it  at some places. The debris blocked roads  at a number of points.The fourth batch of Mansarovar pilgrims has been stopped at Dharchula due to heavy trains continuing there, Pithoragarh district magistrate Sushil Kumar Sharma said.

While a vital motor bridge between Sonprayag and Gaurikund was washed away by heavy rains last evening Badrinath highway remained blocked for the second consecutive day at four points, leaving over 5,000 pilgrims stranded at Badrinath, Hanumanchatti, Pandukeshwar, Govindghat and Ghanghariya, Chamoli district, said additional chief secretary Rakesh Sharma.

With heavy rocks and boulders slipping from a hillside blocking Badrinath highway between Joshimath and Vishnuprayag, devotees bound for the Sikh shrine of Hemkund Sahib and those returning from there have had to take shelter at different places, he added.Over 5,000 pilgrims bound for Hemkund Sahib have been stopped at Ghanghariya whereas around 1,200 pilgrims bound for the Sikh shrine have been asked to stay in Govindghat, sharma added About 5,000 pilgrims are in Badrinath waiting for the highway to be restored, he said, adding that the Govindghat Gurudwara has been vacated because of the rising flow of Alaknanda.

Yatris who were staying there have been moved to safe places, he said. Around 75 women and children have been sent to Joshimath from Govindghat through choppers. Three bridges in Govindghat- Ghangriya - Pulna were damaged  with the river having changed its course. Chief engineer is looking after the reinstallation works of the damaged bridges, it is learnt. Ghangriya-Hemkund bridge has been   re-opened on Friday. Around 100 people are staying at Hanumanchatti while the  pilgrims staying in Badrinath are getting all the necessary facilities.  On Friday while around 900 people were airlifted  by helicopters around 1000 were sent to the  safe places through the roads.