Stranded tourists to board Kolkata-bound trains tonight

A large number of tourists and pilgrims from West Bengal, who were stranded in Uttarakhand, were likely to board trains for Kolkata from Haridwar tonight, West Bengal Disaster Management department sources said.
Quoting feedbacks from Tehri, where state's Transport Minister Madan Mitra and Planning Minister Rachpal Singh were camping, the sources here said that a total arrangement have been kept in place both at Rishikesh and Haridwar to assist the stranded tourists and pilgrims for their return to Howrah.
Last night 22 pilgrims from West Bengal were helped to board train for Kolkata, the sources said.
Special trains have also been arranged by the Railway Board for the purpose which would be available from time to time, they said.

With the improvement of weather condition at Gourikund, 65 helicopter sorties were arranged to airlift the stranded tourists and pilgrims to safer locations, the sources said adding that roads have also opened up below Joshimath from Badrinath.
Meanwhile, the state government has received a report that 30 people remained stranded at Shangla under Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh for past few days.
"Their evacuation has not been possible for want of choppers. An arrangement of food, water etc have been made by the DC of Kinnaur. They can't be evacuated till Helicopters are available from Air Force," the sources said.