FRIDAY, 13 May | PNS | DEHRADUN
In view of the huge rush of the pilgrims in the initial phase of the Char Dham Yatra the central government has deployed personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on the Yatra routes. The chief secretary (CS) Sukhbir Singh Sandhu told the media persons at the state secretariat on Thursday that the NDRF and ITBP personnel have been deployed for the first time in view of the increase in the number of pilgrims. He said that these personnel would help the Para- medics to carry the patients to the nearest health centre in case of medical emergency. Sandhu informed that the ITBP personnel have been deployed for a limited time period but asserted that every possible measure would be taken to ensure safety of the pilgrims. The CS said that after a break caused by the pandemic of Covid-19, the Char Dham Yatra this year is witnessing a surge in the number of pilgrims. He said that the rush is more during the opening of the portals and this year also things are in complete control since Monday. Sandhu said that the carrying capacity of the shrines has been fixed. The CS said that he is in constant touch with the district magistrates (DM) on the arrangements and facilities in Yatra. He claimed that all the deaths which have occurred are not due to lack of arrangements.
