Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, during a high level meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence on Saturday, directed the officials that senior officers of the government should continuously monitor the relief and rescue operations in the areas affected by heavy rains, whatever assistance is being sought by the District Magistrates for relief and rescue operations, immediate action should be taken on it and they should be provided assistance. On the instructions of the Chief Minister, Commissioner Garhwal Division Vinay Shankar Pandey has been appointed as the nodal officer for the restoration of infrastructure in the affected areas of the Kedarnath Yatra route. He has directed that the Secretary Disaster Management, Secretary Public Works Department and senior officials of the Energy Department will immediately visit Rudraprayag district and ensure the rescue and restoration arrangements. The Chief Minister himself is taking updates from the District Magistrates every moment about the damage caused by heavy rains in various areas of the state.
The Chief Minister, while talking to the District Magistrate Rudraprayag through virtual medium on Saturday, directed that efforts should be made to smoothen the traffic on the Shri Kedarnath footpath soon. The passengers stranded on the footpath should be accommodated at safe places and proper arrangements for food should be made for them. The families of the devotees should be given regular updates on their well-being. The helpline numbers issued should also be widely publicized. In case the weather is favorable, the devotees should be rescued soon. The Chief Minister directed that the process of construction of the damaged 150 meter motor road between Gaurikund and Sonprayag should be done soon. He directed that it should be ensured that the behavior of the police with the devotees is good. The Chief Minister has also given instructions to keep the arrangements for electricity and drinking water supply smooth in the affected areas.
District Magistrate Rudraprayag Saurabh Gaharwar informed that work is in progress at the places where debris has come on the Shri Kedarnath footpath. In case the weather is favorable, these roads will be repaired in a week. The process of construction of the damaged 150 meter motor road between Gaurikund and Sonprayag is also being started. At present, arrangements for walking are being made on it. The remaining motor road is completely fine. Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, ADG A.P. Anshuman, IG Krishna Kumar V.K., Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari were present in the meeting.
