DEHRADUN, India—Following heavy rainfall that caused rise in water level of rivers, pilgrims stuck on the way to Sikh shrine Sri Hemkunt Sahib have sighed some relief as weather conditions have started to improve. Pilgrims stuck at Gurdwara Gobind Dham were moved to safer places with the help of three helicopters today.
Sikh sangat stuck at Gobind Ghat may also continue its journey to Sri Hemkunt Sahib with the help of an eight feet long iron bridge to cross the river.
Vice President of Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust S. Narinderjit Singh Bindra informed Sikh24 that the State government has reduced the fare of Helicopter from Rs. 6400/- to Rs. 5000/- to relocate Sikh sangat from Gobind Dham to Gobind Ghat. The government has taken this decision to facilitate the smooth access of Sri Hemkunt Sahib to Sikh sangat as the bridge was collapsed a few days ago.
Punjab Government has also sent numerous buses of Punjab Roadways to Rishikesh to bring back the pilgrims moving towards Sri Hemkunt Sahib or those who are returning after paying obeisance at Sri Hemkunt Sahib. Inspector of Punjab Roadways, Sri Subash Singh informed that the buses were sent as per the guidelines of IAS Officer AS Miglani.
Manager of Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Rishikesh told Sikh24 that the Punjab government sent the buses without consulting them and taking them into confidence. He said that no need was there for any buses as the condition was normal.
