Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) [India], August 11 : Gangotri MLA Suresh Chauhan on Monday said that the opening of roads and reestablishing disaster-hit Dharali is a challenge for the state government, further asserting that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is making continuous efforts, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talking to the CM.
Speaking to ANI, Chauhan, while highlighting the ongoing rescue operations in Dharali, stated that a list of 50 missing people had been compiled, further stating that search operations are currently ongoing for missing individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
"Currently, a list of 50 missing people has been compiled. Searches have also been conducted for many missing individuals from Bihar and UP who came here for work. The team is actively conducting rescue efforts, with sniffer dogs searching for their location... The CM himself set up a camp and continued the mounting task for 2 days... I have been here for 3-4 days. The money and other supplies needed by the affected people have also arrived here..." Chauhan told ANI.
He further stated that financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh had been announced for the families of the deceased and missing people.
"Opening roads and reestablishing Dharali is a challenge for us. CM is making continuous efforts for this. PM is also talking to the CM... The CM has immediately announced Rs 5 lakh each for the deceased, who are missing and whose whereabouts have been traced. Today, the amount will be distributed to all affected," he further stated.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has stated that the priority was to restore road connectivity.
Speaking to the media, CM Dhami emphasised that electricity and mobile network have been restored, apart from proper arrangements made for food, clothes and relief materials.
"Our priority is to restore road connectivity... An artificial lake has been formed over there... Electricity and mobile networks have been restored. Arrangements for food, clothes, and relief materials have been made. A bridge in Limchagarh that was destroyed has been restored..." Dhami told reporters here.
Earlier in the day, CM Dhami announced the reopening of the Bailey Bridge at Limchigad.
The relief materials for the flash-flood-affected Dharali are also being sent through this route.
In a post on X, Uttarakhand CM said, "The construction work of the Bailey Bridge at Limchigad has been completed, and the bridge has been opened for traffic. Now, through this bridge, not only are relief materials and machinery being sent forward quickly, but the movement of local people has also resumed smoothly. In this difficult time of disaster, our government is working with full commitment to normalise public life."
The Bailey bridge replaces the Limchi Gad Bridge in the Gangnani area on the Gangotri National Highway, damaged in the aftermath of the cloudburst in Dharali village near Gangotri.
In a post on X, Border Road Organisation (BRO) said, "When the Limchi Gad Bridge on NH-34 was washed away in a devastating cloudburst, the lifeline to Harsil was severed. In mission mode and through the long hours of darkness, @BROindia teams braved treacherous terrain, rushing men and machinery to the site. Against the odds, the new 100' long Bailey bridge has been launched under challenging conditions -- swiftly restoring this vital link. A true testament to @BROindia relentless spirit and resolute action -- keeping the nation moving, come what may."
By working on a war footing and building the bridge in a short period of three days, the road on the Gangotri route has now become smooth till Sonagad, and this has also paved the way for rapid reconstruction of the damaged road ahead.