Paul visits Kedarnath route, checks arrangements

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 24 

Governor KK Paul today toured Sonprayag, Lincholi and Kedarnath areas to review the preparations for the forthcoming Char Dham yatra and disaster management preparedness.

During a visit to Sonprayag, the Governor gave necessary on-the-spot directions to the officials concerned and took several important decisions. He gave approval to the setting up of a regular police station at Sonprayag. The notification for the same will be issued on April 25.

He also ordered a helicopter service at Sonprayag to make medical facilities available to pilgrims for any emergency. An early warning maintenance patrol system will also be started which will give a warning about any disaster on the Kedarnath yatra route and around the lake. A warning alarm system will also be made active in the area.

Paul also gave directions that the night stay facilities in the Kedarnath area be made more comfortable and organised. Patrolling by the SDRF should be ensured on the 16-km Gaurikund–Kedarnath route throughout the yatra season. Earth moving equipment must also be installed in the area between Rudraprayag and Sonprayag where construction work was underway and would be completed in around 10 days. The equipment will record any abnormal earth movement.

Paul said dragon lights or light towers be set up on the yatra route, although the trek was not allowed after 6 pm. 

In Lincholi, he held a meeting with the officers concerned and gave suggestions and instructions for making the yatra successful. He reviewed the huts provided for the pilgrims en route. He also discussed with representatives of the temple committee the work required to restore the samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath which was damaged during the flash floods of June 2013. Governor’s secretary Anand Bardhan and ADC Janmejaya Khanduri accompanied the Governor during the tour.