‘Starting Char Dham Yatra a calculated risk’

The signs of flash flood devastation which claim thousands of lives and property damage in Uttarakhand still visible after one year. The birds eye view of Dhari Devi Mata Mandir in the banks of river Alaknanda, believed to be manifestation of Godess Kali and protector of Char Dham, Uttarkhand. According to local people cloudburst happen due to shifting of temple venue by local authorities to make way for 330MW hydro power project, and to save it from getting submerge. The temple is currently under restoration in Srinagar, Paudi Garwal May 4, 2014.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Friday said he had taken a calculated risk by starting the Char Dham Yatra this year.

At a time when the State is still recovering from last year’s deluge that destroyed much of its infrastructure, there is widespread scepticism over the government’s decision of continuing with the Yatra in the absence of adequate infrastructure, especially roads.

Countering the questions on the feasibility of the Yatra, Mr. Rawat, while addressing the media here said: “I took a calculated risk [by starting the Yatra in May this year].” Mr. Rawat said that around 30 per cent of Uttarakhand’s population was dependent on the earnings from the six months of the Char Dham Yatra season. Cancelling the Yatra this year would be a setback for the people whose livelihood depended on it, he said.

According to the State Disaster Management Department, the Rishikesh-Kedarnath, Rishikesh-Gangotri, Rishikesh-Yamunotri, and Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highways were blocked at several places on Friday due to landslips. Warnings of continuous rainfall resulted in further postponement of the Char Dham Yatra by another four days.