RISHIKESH/CHANDIGARH, June 26, 2013: With the arrival of 1200 more pilgrims from Rishikesh to Punjab tonight, the total number of pilgrims so far evacuated from different parts of Uttarakhand would touch 7500, those have already been left for Punjab in the buses of Punjab Police, Punjab Roadways and other hired vehicles.    

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that as per latest updates more than as per the latest updates more than 1800 Pilgrims were on the way to Rishikesh from Nagrasu Gurdwara in the buses of Punjab Police and other mode of state transportations.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Punjab Parkash Singh Badal lauded the pro-active role of rescue teams including Punjab Police personnel and officials of other departments, who were working admirably for the cause of humanity in this difficult hour. He instructed the teams deputed by state government to ensure the safe return of all the pilgrims from Punjab to their homes.

The Deputy Chief Minster Sukhbir Singh Badal also conveyed the officers overseeing the entire operations for mandatory medical checkup of each pilgrim evacuated from the flood hit upper hills of Uttrakhand and to provide the needful medical assistance. He said that teams from Punjab would work for the evacuation and safe arrival of Pilgrims stranded at various places in Uttarakhand and they would extend requisite facilitations and cooperation to the stranded pilgrims in the relief camps of Punjab Government between Badrinath and Rishikesh. He also asked DIG Khubi Ram to deploy Punjab Police personnel at the sensitive places, when they were being lifted to Rishikesh, to avert any untoward incident in case of bad weather besides ensuring their complete safety and security. He also directed the Director Transport, Punjab to ensure the safe arrival of all Pilgrims at their respective homes in Punjab in State Transportations including buses of Punjab Police.  

Giving the latest details about the operations, A. Venu Prasad, Secretary Housing, Punjab, who was stationed here to monitor the operations, said that the mass arrival of Pilgrims has become possible after resumption flow of traffic on Srinagar-Chamoli road with the efforts of Border Road Organisation. He said that more than 50 buses Punjab Government had already been sent to Nagrasu on Monday evening to bring back the Pilgrims and more than 25 buses has been arrived at Rishikesh. He said it is expected that homecoming of all more than 3000 Pilgrims will be ensured by Wednesdayevening while more than 1200 pilgrims has already been left for Punjab.     

Venu Prasad said that the Chopper of Punjab Government today evacuated more than 94 Pilgrims from Badrinath, who were safely landed at base camp of Joshi Math. He said that the majority of Pilgrims evacuated from Badrinath were of other states. The Special Trekking Team deployed by Punjab Government has been sent to Badrinath for the assistance of other agencies engaged in rescue operations. He said that this team will work in coordination with the Indian Army.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has now deputed Secretary Forests Mandeep Singh in place of Secretary Housing & Urban Development A. Venu Prasad to further oversee the relief and rescue operations in Uttarakhand.

Source: Punjab Newsline, DT. June 26, 2013.