CM inspects Char Dham Yatra work

Tribune News Service

Dehradun , April 20

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat paid a visit to the Badrinath shrine to review the preparations for the Char Dham Yatra and prayed for its success today.

He inspected the preparation of the yatra and took stock of the electricity, water, communication, housing and other arrangements in the Badrinath shrine.

Satisfied with the preparation, he directed the officials to ensure a smooth yatra season for the pilgrims this season.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the snow on the yatra route had been cleared, paving the way for a smooth traffic. He said that the government was planning to construct a tunnel at Lambagad Slide zone to ensure smooth traffic movement towards the Badrinath shrine as a permanent solution.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to prepare a plan for constructing a safety wall in Bamnigaun and the road obstructed due to falling boulders on the road at Marwari of Joshimath be opened without delay.

The Chief Minister said the Char Dham Yatra is backbone of the economy of the state and the government was making all efforts all to conduct it smoothly.

He said the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team had been deployed to cater to any disaster situation.

The ASP of Chamoli, Navneet Bhullar, has been given the responsibility to train 100 local youths in remote hill areas with the help of NIM. The trained youths will assist in relief and rescue works in high altitude conditions. The Soldier Welfare Department has also been activated for this purpose.

Harish Rawat also announced the establishment of a sports college in Munsyari.

He said that the government was contemplating to take schoolchildren on a Char Dham Yatra tour.

The CM stated that the people were working day and night in unfavorable conditions to ensure a hassle-free yatra and the government was well prepared.

He appealed to the pilgrims to come for the yatra without fear or hesitation.

Vice-president of the Twenty Points Plan and area MLA Rajender Bhandari, Secretary PWD Amit Negi, Commissioner Garhwal Mandal CS Napchyal including other officials were present on the occasion.

Bhandara for pilgrims

The Chief Minister directed the officials to organise a bhandara (group feast) free of cost on behalf of the state government for the visiting devotees on the days of the the opening of all four shrines (dhams) as well as the evening before their opening.

The bhandara would be arranged by the state government for the visiting devotees on April 20 and 21 in Gangotri and Yamunotri, on April 23 and 24 in the Kedarnath shrine and on April 25 and 26 in the Badrinath shrine.

The Garwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has been assigned the task of arranging the bhandaras for the pilgrims.