Paul reviews preparations for Chardham yatra

A regular police station will be set up at Sonprayag en route to Kedarnath before the start of Chardham next month for the convenience of the pilgrims and an early warning maintenance patrol system installed in the area for alerting them in the case of any disaster along the route.
Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul issued orders to this effect during a tour of Sonprayag, Lincholi and Kedarnath today to review the preparations for the forthcoming Chardham yatra and the preparedness for disaster management along the route to the Himalayan shrine.
The yatra involves the Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri.

During his visit to Sonprayag, the Governor gave necessary directions on the spot to officials concerned and approved the setting up of a regular police station there. A notification for the police station will be issued on April 25, an official release here said.
To make medical facilities available to pilgrims immediately during the yatra season, availability of a helicopter in Sonprayag has been ensured.
An early warning maintenance patrol system will also be started which will give a warning about any disaster on the Kedarnath yatra route and around the lake there.

An early warning alarm system will also be active in the area, it said.

The Governor also gave directions that night stay facilities in the Kedarnath area be made more comfortable and organised for pilgrims and SDRF patrolling be ensured on the 16-km Gaurikund-Kedarnath route throughout the yatra season.
Earth-moving equipment will be installed in the area between Rudraprayag and Sonprayag where works are underway and will be completed in around ten days.
The equipment will record any abnormal earth movement.
Paul directed that dragon lights or light towers be set up on the Kedarnath yatra (trek) route for adequate lighting although the yatra through the trek route is not allowed after6 PM.
In Lincholi, the Governor held a meeting with officers concerned and gave suggestions and instructions for making the yatra hurdle-free.

He reviewed the huts provided on the route for pilgrims.
The Governor also discussed with the representatives of the temple committee about the workrequired to restore the Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath which was damaged during the calamity of June 2013.