Problems related to food and lodging being faced by devotees in Kedarnath will be sorted out in a week, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said today.
Rawat, who paid a visit to Kedarnath yesterday to take a feedback straight from devotees about the arrangements at the Himalayan shrine, held a meeting with officials concerned today and asked them to sort out all problems related to food and lodging of pilgrims within a week.
"The pilgrims complained to me about certain problems during my visit there yesterday. I have spoken to the officials concerned and asked them to streamline things in a week's time. I am sure in a week from now all problems related to food, lodging, sanitation and medical facilities at the shrine will be overcome within the deadline," Rawat told reporters after the meeting.
Noting that arrivals at the shrine this season were likely to register a four-fold increase, he also asked officials to ensure that arrangements do not fall short of the requirements.
Arrangements should be made urgently for the stay of an additional 1000-1500 people between Gaurikund and Kedarnath. Besides construction of night shelters, the number of palanquin bearers, horse and mule operators should be increased and 50 additional toilets should be constructed for the convenience of pilgrims, he said.
Deployment of police personnel en route to the shrine should be stepped up besides reinforcing the State Disaster Response Force and strengthening the manpower at registration counters, the Chief Minister said and also asked the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited to upgrade the quality of food being provided to devotees.
The District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, under which Kedarnath falls, was aksed to submit his action taken report on today's meeting to the Chief Secretary in three-four days after which the arrangements will be reviewed again.
Accompanied by his wife Renuka, Rawat paid obeisance at Kedarnath and also took stock of the arrangements.
