‘Ensure swift primary treatment for ailing pilgrims, fix responsibility for death of mules too’
Sunday, 22 May 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
The State’s Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj said that swift primary treatment should be provided to pilgrims in need of it on the Yatra route. Further, responsibility should be fixed even if a horse or mule used to ferry pilgrims dies. He said that officials should answer calls on their mobile phones and if they are unable to respond immediately, they should call back. Maharaj also said that a photography point in memory of actor Sushant Singh Rajput will also be built as he had worked in the area on a film. The minister issued this and other instructions while chairing review meetings in Rudraprayag and Chamoli regarding the Char Dham Yatra.
Chairing the meeting in Rudraprayag, he said that Covid-19 affects the lungs the most, considering which oxygen and medical treatment facility should be ensured on the Yatra routes. He also appealed to the pilgrims to get checked by a doctor before embarking on the Char Dham Yatra. Taking serious cognisance of the deaths of horses and mules on the Yatra route, he directed the Animal Husbandry department to ensure that these animals are given proper rest and fodder. The owners should be held responsible if an animal dies, he added. Stating that the Yatra has reached its peak, he said that every official concerned must answer calls or call back if unable to respond immediately. To prevent any inconvenience, the pilgrims must not be stopped midway but instead be held back at stops. He phoned the Public Works Department secretary and directed him to ensure presence of adequate number of junior engineers and other officials on the Yatra routes. Addressing Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar online, the minister told him to ensure construction of tin sheds on the bridle path and near Kedarnath temple soon to provide shelter to pilgrims during the rains. Problems being faced in facilitating ambulance to transport bodies of pilgrims who die, to their relatives should also be resolved. Special focus should be laid on sanitation on the Yatra routes, he added.
While chairing the review meeting in Chamoli, he said that pilgrims suffering from diabetes, hypertension or other serious ailments should first undergo a medical check up before undertaking the pilgrimage to avoid health problems. He said that hotels, restaurants and all other businesses should also benefit economically from the pilgrimage. The registration system should be amended according to the accommodation capacity in Badrinath. The various agencies concerned should lay special focus on improvement of the roads, he said. With monsoon not far now, roads should be repaired swiftly wherever they are damaged. Protection works in landslide areas and cleaning of roadside drains should be undertaken. He also stressed on the need for proper garbage disposal and directed officials to ensure proper disposal of the collected garbage. In addition to keeping adequate stock of petrol, diesel and ration, the quality of food in hotels, restaurants and eateries should also be checked regularly, said Maharaj. The minister further stressed on the need for all officials to discharge their duties efficiently. He also appealed to the taxi drivers and tour operators to behave cordially with the pilgrims. Local public representatives and officials concerned were present in both the meetings.
