PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun/Jyotirmath
Chief secretary Anand Bardhan visited the Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham on Saturday and inspected the preparations and arrangements ahead of the opening of the portals of the Char Dham.
In Kedarnath the CS took stock of the reconstruction works and gave necessary instructions to the officers concerned.
He also inspected the bailey bridge built on the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers. He said that the bridge will bring more convenience and ease to the passengers and pilgrims in commuting. He also inspected the rain shelters built on Aastha Path.
He directed the officers to install LED signages on the rain shelters, so that the passengers can get clear information about where toilets, medical assistance and other necessary facilities are available. The CS said that the hot water facility should be available to the pilgrims standing in the queue. He also inspected the cleanliness arrangements from the temple complex and surrounding areas. In his visit he directed the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam to complete the repair of all the cottages built on the Yatra route. The Rudraprayag district magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar informed the CS that all the departments related to the Kedarnath Yatra are working in coordination and assured that all the arrangements from the Yatra route have been completed.
After Kedarnath, the CS visited Badrinath where he inspected works being done under the master plan.
Here he inspected the arrival plaza, civic amenity centre, Badrish and Shesh Netra Lake, riverfront and the hospital. He directed the work execution agency to handover the hospital by August.
The district magistrate of Chamoli Sandeep Tiwari informed the CS about the progress of master plan works in Badrinath. He said that the works of drinking water, electricity supply and toilets have been completed. Tiwari said that the internal routes of the Dham are also being improved. Sanitation workers have been deployed and the damaged footpaths in the Dham have been repaired.
Tourism secretary Sachin Kurve, BKTC CEO Vijay Thapliyal and other officers accompanied the CS during the visit.
