PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Uttarkashi
With the Char Dham Yatra slated to open with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri on April 31, the nodal officer for Gangotri and secretary BVRC Purushottam has directed that arrangements for the pilgrimage to Gangotri should be completed on a war footing. He said this while inspecting the Yatra arrangements in the district on Monday.
During the inspection, Purushottam directed the officials to ensure that basic facilities including parking, electricity and water supply, toilets and changing rooms are ready on time in Gangotri and the main halts en route. Work to make the Ghats at Gangotri safe and convenient along with other construction works should be completed on a war footing.
He stressed that all arrangements should be completed before the start of the Char Dham Yatra so that the pilgrims do not face any inconvenience. The secretary also directed that the health service should be strengthened. There will be a major rise in pilgrim numbers as the Yatra begins and the vehicular load will also increase. Considering this, a concrete Yatra management plan and proper parking facilities at major halts must be ensured, he said.
Uttarkashi district magistrate Meharban Singh Bisht said that construction and repair works costing about Rs 40 crore are being expedited in Gangotri Dham. Earlier, the secretary also held a meeting with representatives of the hotel association, taxi and bus unions, temple committee and officials of departments related to the pilgrimage.
