Rudraprayag: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-affected Basukedaar area of Rudraprayag district on Saturday, including villages like Taljaman, Dungar, Badeth, Jaula, Kamad, Uchhola, Chainagad, Patuy, etc. He then held a meeting at the District Panchayat Auditorium in Rudraprayag and conducted a detailed review of the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the disaster-affected areas, the availability of electricity, drinking water, medical and health facilities, the current status of motorable roads, and the arrangements for the Kedarnath pilgrimage.
The Chief Minister said that the entire state faced difficult circumstances and challenges due to the disaster during this year’s monsoon season. He expressed his deep condolences to the affected people and praised the district administration for its prompt response during the disaster. He said that the prompt response of the local administration and public representatives to the affected areas and the relief and rescue efforts has encouraged the affected people.
The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his full support to the state during this time of crisis and said that the Prime Minister was regularly receiving updates on the disaster situation in various areas of the state. Upon reaching Dehradun, he met with the affected people and announced a grant of Rs. 1,200 crore for immediate relief in the affected areas. The Chief Minister directed officials to remain on alert until September 30th and be prepared to deal with any disaster. He gave special instructions regarding the removal of encroachments on rivers and streams.
The Chief Minister said that the number of pilgrims to Kedarnath Dham is expected to increase rapidly after the monsoon season, and in view of this, it is essential to maintain foolproof travel arrangements. He stated that the safety of pilgrims is our top priority and efforts should be made on a war footing to ensure a smooth journey.
District Magistrate Rudraprayag Prateek Jain briefed the Chief Minister on the situation in the district during the monsoon season and in the areas affected by the disaster on August 28th. He provided detailed information to the Chief Minister regarding arrangements for evacuating affected people to safety and providing shelter in relief camps, providing food kits, refreshment kits, solar lights, blankets, tents, tarpaulins, torches, medical facilities, and operating medical camps, human resources for relief and rescue operations, transporting pregnant women to hospitals by helicopter, distributing food grains, and assets affected by the disaster, including animal losses, personal property and livestock, damage to buildings and cow shelters, as well as roads, drinking water schemes, electric poles and transformers, and agricultural land.
The District Magistrate presented the Chief Minister with information on the damage and repair work on the district’s roads, including the Jawadi bypass, Sirobagadh, Munkatiya, Gaurikund Highway, and sensitive areas, as well as the Kedarnath Dham walking route. He also provided information on the estimated number of pilgrims for the second phase of the Kedarnath Yatra, helicopter services, and arrangements.
MLA Rudraprayag and MLA Kedarnath expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for his prompt action during the disaster. They also informed about the damage caused by the disaster, road construction and other problems in their respective areas. On this occasion, Medical, Health and Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, District Panchayat President Poonam Kathayat, MLA Rudraprayag Bharat Chaudhary, MLA Kedarnath Asha Nautiyal, State Minister Chandi Prasad Bhatt, District Panchayat Vice President Ritu Negi, BJP District President Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, former BJP District President Mahavir Panwar, District Magistrate Prateek Jain, Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde, Additional District Magistrate Shyam Singh Rana along with various departmental officers, public representatives and common people were present.
