PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
With the online registration for Char Dham Yatra having commenced, the former Gangotri MLA Vijaypal Singh Sajwan expressed serious concern about the poor condition of Gangotri National Highway. He met the Uttarkashi district magistrate Prashant Arya along with some Panchayat representatives from Bhatwari development block. They told the DM that with the NH remaining in deplorable condition, accidents are happening quite frequently.
The former MLA also referred to the continuous rockfall along the stretch from Ganeshpur to Laldhang Sainj and lack of protective measures like safety nets and barriers. He particularly stressed on the vulnerability of several places along the stretch and mentioned the recent death of a young man at Lata village due to rockfall. He urged the DM to take immediate steps to ensure safety of the pilgrims well before the start of the annual pilgrimage.
Sajwan also stated that forest blazes are loosening soil and rocks on the hills, further increasing chances of rockfall. He told Arya that the local people are angry with the administrative indifference to this growing danger.
The DM said that he would do everything to facilitate a safe and smooth pilgrimage to Gangotri and Yamunotri. He assured the MLA and others that he would issue necessary instructions to the departments concerned for corrective measures. He stated that the safety of the travellers and pilgrims aside from the locals is always a priority for the administration.
The panchayat members echoed the MLA and demanded immediate action from the district administration.
