Badrinath yatra resumes by foot

Tribune News Service

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Dehradun, May 20

The movement of pilgrims, stranded since yesterday after the 40-m stretch of the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway near Vishnuprayag damaged due to landslides,    resumed by foot today. 

The district administration is also working on opening the road for small vehicles by late night, BJP Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik said today. 

Briefing mediapersons, Kaushik said, “As of now, no pilgrim is stranded, the 1,400 pilgrims stuck yesterday at Govindghat and 500 pilgrims who were stranded at Pandukeshwar, have resumed their journey from a nearby trekking route located at a distance of 2 km.” 

He said the yatra was on and the pilgrims were safe. “Efforts are on to start the movement of small cars from this evening. Tomorrow, we will also try opening the route for heavy vehicles. For the convenience of pilgrims, food and lodging arrangements have been made at Badrinath and Joshimath,” he said.

According to reports, debris and muck after the rain-triggered landslide has got accumulated in the nearby Alaknanda (near Marwari village on the way to Badrinath) continues to pose a challenge. So far, no efforts have been made for its removal and on being asked to comment on the issue, the minister remained evasive.

“We understand that it has to be removed, but our immediate concern is the safety of pilgrims and ensuring the Char Dham yatra is on course,” said Kaushik.

The government has set up relief camps for pilgrims where food is being served by the district administration at Govindghat, Badrinath and Joshimath.