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Uttarakhand roads a hindrance for
pilgrims
by Ashish Goel
Gangotri
(Uttarakhand): A large number tourists and pilgrims
come to Uttarakhand from various parts of the country
every year. But travelling here via roads has turned
into a nightmare these days. Residents of major pilgrim
centres like Gangotri, Uttarkashi, Badrinath and Kedarnath
complain that the condition of roads is deplorable.
The condition of roads at many places is deplorable
and often causes a lot of inconvenience for the touring
pilgrims here. "Roads are in a very bad state. The day
water of River Ganga rises, it will be very difficult
to carry on construction and repair work," said Shivendra
Singh, a local resident.
According
to Raval Hari Singwal, Secretary of the Paanch Mandir
Samati, Himalayan-Gangotri, the work being carried out
by the Border Road Organisation (BRO) to make roads
through blasting hills has furthered problems. "Government
should look after the roads before an increased number
of devotees start coming in this season. We want that
before opening of the doors (of Badrinath Dham Temple),
the Government should complete road renovation and construction.
The BRO, which is constructing the roads, is blasting
the hills in a badly, thus, affecting the local people,"
said Raval Hari Singwal. During winter, temples like
Badrinath Dham, often visited my a large number of Hindu
devotees, are closed when there is an unbearable temperature.
Meanwhile, the State Tourism Minister Prakash Pant claimed
that adequate resources and money is being provided
to the concerned departments to ensure better roads,
clean drinking water and other essential things. "I
went to "Yamunotri" by road and found that it was well
maintained. We have also provided clean drinking water
for the devotees at regular stops. I have not checked
the Gangotri roads, I'll be going and see to it. If
there are improper arrangements, a strict action will
be taken," said Prakash Panth. The tourism industry
is a major contributor to the economy of Uttarakhand,
with the Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve and
the nearby hill-stations of Nainital, Mussoorie, Almora
and Ranikhet being among the most frequented destinations
of India. To this region, long called "abode of the
gods" (Devbhoomi), also belong some of the holiest Hindu
shrines, and for more than a thousand years, pilgrims
have been visiting the temples at Haridwar, Badrinath,
Kedarnath and Jageshwar in the hope of salvation and
purification from sin.
Rishikesh
near Haridwar has the major spiritual and yoga centers
of India. Gangotri and Yamunotri, the sources of both
the River Ganges and Yamuna also fall in this region
and are revered by millions of people. Besides, these
most popular pilgrim centres, the State has an abundance
of temples and shrines, references to most of which
can be found in Hindu scriptures and legends. The architecture
of most of these temples is typical of the region and
slightly different from other parts of India, the ancient
temples at Jageshwar being the most prominent for their
distinct architectural features. In January 2007, the
name of the state was officially changed from Uttaranchal,
its interim name, to Uttarakhand, as per wishes of a
large section of its people.
-April
25, 2007
