PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
With the Char Dham Yatra scheduled to start at the end of this month, the Garhwal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey has directed that all road improvement works along the Yatra circuit should be completed by April 25 under all circumstances. He issued the instructions during a review meeting held at the Char Dham Yatra transit camp office in Rishikesh. He reviewed the progress of road maintenance, widening, patchwork and blacktopping work being carried out by agencies including PWD, NH, NHIDCL, BRO and NHAI. The respective district magistrates provided updates on road conditions and other arrangements in their respective districts.
The commissioner stated that all travel-related infrastructure must be completed on time, including the enhancement of parking capacity, improvement of pedestrian routes, streamlined pilgrim registration processes and provisions for health and helicopter services. He assured officials that there is no shortage of funds and asked all DMs to submit their demands promptly.
Emphasising the need for safe and smooth roads, he instructed immediate completion of work at landslide-prone areas and pothole repairs across the Yatra route. He also ordered the repair of snow-damaged rain shelters, spiritual paths and footways in Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. He asked them to ensure that identified parking areas are adequately equipped and arrangements for clean drinking water and warm water for horses and mules are done at all shrines. The Tourism department was asked to deploy sufficient staff at registration counters and simplify both online and offline registration systems. Pandey said that counters should be made operational by April 28 near the Yatra routes and shrines. The Health department was asked to deploy ambulances in Chamoli district, staff temporary medical centres with doctors and support personnel and ensure availability of life-saving drugs, medical equipment and ambulances.
The Transport department was directed to arrange additional buses and enforce measures to prevent overloading. Officials were asked to ensure that no pilgrim is sent back without having darshan. He also instructed the officials to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply and directed UREDA to keep extra generators available. Adequate stock of food grains, petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders should be maintained in warehouses along the route.
He also directed BSNL to ensure proper communication services, including network and mobile tower functionality. He also directed the officials to regulate helicopter service bookings, block fraudulent websites and ensure proper arrangements at helipads.
