Yamunotri National Highway restoration underway after landslide; Uttarkashi DM reviews relief work
Uttarkashi, July 11
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya on Saturday inspected the site of a massive landslide near Syanachatti on the Yamunotri National Highway and reviewed ongoing restoration work following continuous rainfall in the district.
During the inspection, the DM directed officials of the concerned departments to construct an alternative route on a war footing to restore traffic movement on the National Highway at the earliest. He also instructed officials to ensure that all necessary resources and machinery are made available at the site without delay.
Arya directed the Executive Engineer of the National Highways Authority to complete the under-construction bridge over the Yamuna River at Syanachatti within one week to improve connectivity in the affected area.
The District Magistrate said that the safety of Char Dham pilgrims and local residents remains the administration's top priority. He instructed officials to carry out relief, rescue and restoration operations with sensitivity and urgency.
During the inspection, Arya directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Barkot) to strengthen and streamline the transhipment arrangements and make them safer and more efficient. He also instructed officials to install safety measures, including ropes and solar lights, at vulnerable points along the alternative pedestrian route to ensure safe movement of commuters.
The DM also inspected the Yamuna River channelisation work being carried out by the Irrigation Department and directed officials to expedite the process to ensure smooth flow of water. He further instructed that debris obstructing the river's flow in the Garhgad area be removed immediately by intensifying clearance operations.
The Irrigation Department was directed to deploy additional machinery for channelisation work to maintain normal river flow and minimise potential risks.
Arya reiterated that the district administration is closely monitoring the situation and that relief measures, safety arrangements and restoration of traffic connectivity in the affected area are being carried out on priority.
— ANI
Reader Comments
District administration is working hard, but why does this happen every monsoon season? 😔 The Char Dham Yatra is so important for devotees and the local economy. I just hope they have a proper early warning system in place and clear debris before it becomes a crisis. Ropes and solar lights for pedestrians is a good start but need more robust infrastructure.
DM sahab is doing a good job by personally inspecting the site. But a word of caution - we shouldn't just throw more machinery at the Yamuna channelisation work without understanding the river's natural flow. Rushing things could cause more erosion downstream. Hope the engineers are thinking long-term.
Good to see proactive administration. But I'm concerned about the growing number of pilgrims every year - our Himalayan roads just aren't built for this volume. Transhipment arrangements need to be better planned. Also, what about the 150+ workers who get stuck every year? We need more than just ropes and solar lights.
The DM's statement about safety being 'top priority' is reassuring. But I've been hearing such assurances for years - meanwhile, landslides continue to disrupt the yatra every monsoon. 😤 The real test will be how quickly they restore connectivity this time. Let's appreciate the effort but demand better long-term planning!
While the administration's response is appreciated, I've noticed that 'alternate routes' mentioned in the article often end up being just temporary diversions. The under-construction bridge near Syanachatti has been delayed for months - hope the DM's one-week deadline is realistic. 🙏