DEHRADUN, July 14: Three of the four pilgrim destinations of the Chardham yatra- Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath — will reopen on September 30 for pilgrims, according to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.
“Except Kedarnath, which has been severely hit, we have decided to open the three other Chardham points for pilgrims and tourism”, Mr Bahuguna told UNI in an exclusive interview.
Welcoming people and pilgrims to the scenic hill state, he said roads are being readied and all precautionary and preventive steps would be taken to avert a similar tragedy. It is planned to keep a record of the people and all efforts would be made to manage things better and systemically.
Stating that weather in the next two months was a problem because of rains and landslides, he said they intended to resume the yatras once the weather improved and travel would be less arduous.
About the devastated Kedarnath where people bore the brunt of the flood fury, he said his mission was to first allow the worship to restart and to provide a safe road passage to the popular pilgrim spot from Gaurikund.
“The Army and the PWD is trying to find a safe route to the temple destination. We are also trying to provide separate entry and exit points to prevent any chaos and confusion”, Mr Bahuguna said.
Stating that incessant rain was the only problem in clearing the debris and readying the roads, the Chief Minister did not commit himself to a date but said it will be done as soon as possible. Also, they will have people working under the MGNREGA schemes on making the roads.
The Chief Minister’s initial remarks that Yatras to the state would be suspended for perhaps two years had led to consternation about the tourism industry, the backbone of the state, being hit. (UNI)
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