Saturday, 11 March 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Transport minister Chandan Ram Dass directed the authorities on Friday to make special traffic and safety arrangements in Joshimath to ensure pilgrims face no inconvenience there during Char Dham Yatra. He said that Joshimath is a very important place for Badrinath and the officials should make arrangements accordingly for pilgrims there. He said this while chairing the meeting of the State Road Safety Council which was attended by senior officials of various departments including Excise, Transport, Police, Public Works Department and commissioners of Garhwal and Kumaon divisions on Friday.
The officials presented details about various aspects including road accidents that occurred throughout the year across the State and gave recommendations to improve the condition. The Police department suggested that drivers who violate rules under the Motor Vehicle Act must be made to do community service along with recovery of compounding fees to ensure they do not repeat such offences. Dass asked the police to make a proposal for the same to present it to the department for consideration. He said that since Chhota Kailash Yatra will also start this year, the number of passengers will increase in the Kumaon division too besides the Garhwal division in this year’s Char Dham Yatra so the officials concerned should make arrangements accordingly. He also said that the Garhwal and Kumaon commissioners should also conduct regular monitoring of work being done to improve road and traffic conditions in their respective areas.
Both should take the required action to ensure necessary works are done before the Char Dham Yatra. He also directed commissioners to ensure liquor is not being consumed during Char Dham Yatra as it is one of the main reasons for road accidents as per the department’s data. He said that officials need to pay special attention to the fitness condition of the vehicle during Yatra to prevent any accidents while still making arrangements to provide immediate medical care to the injured person if needed.
