PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
As the monsoon season ended, the district administration returned to active mode to ensure a safe, smooth and systematic conduct of the second phase of Char Dham Yatra. With the administration mainly focused on providing better health, drinking water, sanitation and other basic facilities to the devotees, the district magistrate Prashant Arya keeps reviewing things regularly. The officials concerned are being instructed to conduct field inspection and have the shortcomings fixed promptly.
The agencies have been directed to work proactively to maintain smooth traffic on the Gangotri and Yamunotri National Highways. Piqued with the slow working of BRO, the DM directed to issue notices. Also, he directed to keep the route open round the clock by removing debris at sensitive places along the two pilgrimage routes.
Sanitation facilities at key stops figure prominently in the district administration’s priority list. The DM keeps stressing on regular water supply and cleanliness in the public toilets, while the sub-divisional magistrate has been assigned the responsibility of effective waste management and monitoring the sanitation of the Yamunotri Yatra route.
Further, the DM sounded strict on the horse/mule, ponies and carts operating in accordance with the mandated standards which include regular animal health check-ups. The chief veterinary officer and the district panchayat have been asked to conduct a joint inspection and assess the arrangements.
As far as the health facilities of the pilgrims are concerned, the administration remains focused on deployment of adequate doctors and availability of medical quick response teams and adequate stock of life-saving medicines.
