A batch of more than 300 pilgrims was flagged off from Govindghat by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna to Hemkund Sahib on Saturday, more than three months after the yatra was stopped following the disaster on June 16-17. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that first, ritual worship was resumed in Kedarnath and now the yatra to Hemkund had been resumed. The yatra for Gangotri had also restarted.
The yatra to Kedarnath would also be started from October 1, although for a limited number of people. The temple committee’s approval for the same is awaited, he said. However, locals state that the yatra has been resumed with incomplete preparations and is expected to last for 20 days.
The CM said that the entire state had suffered due to the disaster and that the state government was making all efforts to resume water, electricity, roads and other basic amenities in all regions. So far, relief amount of about Rs 150 crore had been distributed through cheques. Compensation for losses to commercial activities had also been included for the first time. The CM has also announced compensation for owners of parked cars lost in the flood near Hemkund.
Bahuguna added that the State Government was about to make 35,000 appointments. Help from the Geological Survey of India was being taken to rehabilitate the disaster affected villages, he said while announcing the opening up of a base hospital in Chamoli and setting up of a helipad in Joshimath.
Ask help from interinationally recognised agencies to build embankments next to rivers. He said that the economy of the State was completely dependent on tourism so resumption of Yatras would give a boost to hotels and restaurant owners, the employees and mule owners.
The CM appreciated the contribution of the people of the state in rescuing stranded pilgrims from other States. Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya said that life in the State after the disaster had come to a halt. The Government was making efforts to get things back on track.
Badrinath MlA Rajendra Bhandari informed the gathering about the problems being faced by the local residents of the area. President of the State Minorities Commission Narendrajit Singh Bindra extended his gratitude to the CM and the State for having resumed the yatra to Hemkund.
However, observers point out that the Hemkund Yatra will continue only for 20 days. last year the portals of the shrine were closed for the winters on October 5 and this year this date has been extended to October 10. The weather changed in this region on Friday with rain in the lower altitudes and snowfall in the higher reaches.