All arrangements in place, Kedarnath yatra resumes today

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 30

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today announced that the Kedarnath Yatra, which was halted due to adverse weather conditions for the past three days, would resume tomorrow.

Reviewing the ongoing construction works in disaster-hit areas in a meeting held here today, Rawat instructed officials concerned to increase the strength of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and policemen along the Char Dham Yatra route.

He gave an instruction to officials to reopen the roads that were blocked due to landslides or mudslides within two hours to ensure smooth movement of traffic along the yatra route.

He said necessary arrangements had been made for choppers to rescue the stranded pilgrims. The Chief Minister said JCBs and other equipment had been given to the rescue team to carry out the disaster work swiftly in case it strikes in future.

Rawat directed Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma to deploy the SDM at Govindghat and other disaster-prone areas, while one DSP each should be appointed at Sonprayag-Kedarnath, Govindghat-Hemkunt and the Joshimath- Badrinath route.

Rawat asked the officials to ensure the presence of the PWD superintending engineer at Govindghat and other disaster-prone areas. The CM added that the pilgrims should be updated regularly on weather forecast through SMS. Meanwhile, traffic was disrupted due to landslide at Benakulu on the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway here today. Reports said Rishikesh-Gangotri and the Yamunotri highway were opened for traffic.