For the first time after inception of the state, Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra would be taken out on 30 August 2013. About 300 'Dolis' (Palanquins) will reach to their respective destinations all over the state after covering 280 km distance on foot in 19 days. Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain has directed the District Magistrates to make necessary arrangements after setting the deadlines.
Chief Secretary, chairing the meeting of Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra preparations at Secretariat on Monday said that arrangements for power supply, water, Road, communication, heath and 'Bhandara' should be arranged in time.
Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay in his power point presentation, prepared after completing his visit of 1500 km Rajjat Yatra Marg, provided important feedbacks. He said that the preparation should be made on war footing. About 35,000 people had participated in last Rajjat Yatra in year 2000 and the number this time was expected to be more than a lakh. Mr. Tarun Vijay said that the arrangements of medical facilities should be better in all the halts in the yatra route. He said that medical checkups in higher altitude areas was also must. He directed the officers to ensure ban on plastic items and maintain bio-diversity during the yatra. He said that there should be proper arrangements for media as they would come from not only the various parts of the country but also from other foreign countries to cover the event. He announced to grant maximum fund for the Rajjat Yatra from his MP Fund.
Chief Secretary Jain asked the officers to prepare their action plan for the Rajjat Yatra. He directed them to depute Nodal Officers in 19 halts, start construction of roads and other repair works at the earliest. He said that difficult and very difficult routes be categorized and vigilance arranged accordingly. He laid emphasis on maintaining the originality of the Rajjat Yatra and preserve unique heritage of Uttarakhand.
The meeting was attended by MLAs Rajendra Bhandari, Ganesh Joshi, DGP Vijay Raghav Pant, Principal Secretary Industry Rakesh Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DK Kotia, Secretary Information MH Khan, Secretary Tourism Dr. SS Sandhu, Commissioner Garhwal Region Kunal Sharma, Secretary Finance Radha Raturi Secretary Transport Umakant Panwar, Secretary Social Welfare Subardhan, DMs from Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Nainital amongst others.
