PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) has begun checking the functioning of water structures installed along the Char Dham Yatra route to ensure better services for pilgrims. The Char Dham Yatra will start on April 19 with the reopening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri. The portals for Kedarnath Dham will reopen on April 22, while those for Badrinath will reopen on April 23.
According to UJS officials, based on last year’s data, the water structures along the Char Dham Yatra route include 211 Tank Type Stand Posts (TTSP), 370 Pillar Type Stand Posts (PTSP), 1,062 hand pumps, 57 water ATMs, 18 RO dispensers and 24 geysers for hot water for horses and mules. The officials have begun monitoring and inspecting the functioning of these water structures along the Yatra routes. This monitoring will help identify any defects in the water structures. If any defects are found, the structures will be repaired or replaced as necessary. Additionally, new water structures will be installed at the Yatra routes based on the requirements.
Officials informed that preparations for signage boards, painting at the water structures and other work along the Yatra routes have also been started. For the overall preparations for Char Dham Yatra, the department has submitted a proposal with an estimated cost of Rs 15.8 crore to the authorities concerned.
UJS officials further informed that after thoroughly checking the water structures, they will become operational 10 to 15 days prior to the commencement of the Char Dham Yatra. Specifically, for the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri on April 19, the water structures at those locations will be fully operational by April 5. For Kedarnath, which will open on April 22 and Badrinath on April 23, their respective water structures will be active by April 10. The officials assured that the proper functioning of the water structures will also be checked at that time and any deficiencies will be addressed promptly.
