Gangotri MLA Suresh Chauhan on Monday said opening roads and rebuilding disaster-hit Dharali is a big challenge for the state government. He added that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is making constant efforts, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also in touch with the CM over the situation.
Speaking to mediapersons about the rescue operations in Dharali, Chauhan said a list of 50 missing people has been prepared. Many of them are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and had come here for work. Search teams are working on the ground, using sniffer dogs to locate them.
“Currently, a list of 50 missing people has been compiled. Searches have also been conducted for many missing individuals from Bihar and UP who came here for work. The team is actively conducting rescue efforts, with sniffer dogs searching for their location... The CM himself set up a camp and continued the mounting task for 2 days... I have been here for 3-4 days. The money and other supplies needed by the affected people have also arrived here..,” Chauhan said.
The MLA said the government has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and the missing.
“Opening roads and reestablishing Dharali is a challenge for us. The CM is making continuous efforts for this. The PM is also talking to the CM... The CM has immediately announced Rs 5 lakh each for the deceased, who are missing and whose whereabouts have been traced. Today, the amount will be distributed to all affected,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said restoring road connectivity is the top priority. Electricity and mobile networks have already been restored, along with proper arrangements for food, clothes, and relief materials.
“Our priority is to restore road connectivity... An artificial lake has been formed over there... Electricity and mobile networks have been restored. Arrangements for food, clothes, and relief materials have been made. A bridge in Limchagarh that was destroyed has been restored...” Dhami said.
Earlier in the day, Dhami announced the reopening of the Bailey Bridge at Limchigad. Relief materials for the flash flood-hit Dharali are now being sent through this route.
In a post on his social media handle, Dhami wrote, "The construction work of the Bailey Bridge at Limchigad has been completed, and the bridge has been opened for traffic. Now, through this bridge, not only are relief materials and machinery being sent forward quickly, but the movement of local people has also resumed smoothly. In this difficult time of disaster, our government is working with full commitment to normalise public life."
The Bailey Bridge replaces the Limchi Gad Bridge on the Gangotri National Highway, which was damaged in a cloudburst in Dharali village near Gangotri.
The Border Road Organisation (BRO) also posted on X, "When the Limchi Gad Bridge on NH-34 was washed away in a devastating cloudburst, the lifeline to Harsil was severed. In mission mode and through the long hours of darkness, @BROindia teams braved treacherous terrain, rushing men and machinery to the site. Against the odds, the new 100' long Bailey bridge has been launched under challenging conditions -- swiftly restoring this vital link. A true testament to @BROindia relentless spirit and resolute action, keeping the nation moving, come what may."
By working on a war footing and building the bridge in a short period of three days, the road on the Gangotri route has now become smooth till Sonagad, and this has also paved the way for the quick reconstruction of the damaged road ahead.
Follow us
