Traffic restored on Rishikesh-Badrinath highway after a week

The annual Badrinath Yatra resumed today after restoration of vehicular traffic on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway, a week after it was closed due to landslides triggered by rains.
The highway was closed on April 28 due to landslides at Hathi Parvat in Joshimath of Chamoli district and opened around 10 PM yesterday after the debris was cleared, Deputy Collector of Joshimath Anup Nautiyal said.
The highway was thrown open for movement of both light and heavy motor vehicles. Around 82 vehicles stranded in Badrinath were also cleared, he said.
The doors of Badrinath temple were opened on April 26 but on the third day itself the traffic was disrupted due to the landslides.

Border Road Organisation pressed men and machinery into service to clear the debris but another landslide at the same place on April 30 disrupted the traffic completely on the highway, he said, adding, the highway was opened only after seven days.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government arranged helicopters for pilgrims from Joshimath to Govindghat from where they were taken to Badrinath by road, he said.
The helicopter service was provided at Rs 750 per male and Rs 500 for children and female pilgrims, he said.
Also, many pilgrims walked to Badrinath on 3-km long road between Joshimath-Vishnuprayag, the Deputy Collector said.