17 lives lost during ‘Char Dham Yatra’
17 people, including seven women, from different parts of the country died during the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand in the past three weeks. As many as eight people lost their lives during Kedarnath visit, three died during Badrinath and six others during Yamunotri and Gangotri visits.
One of the main causes for death is cardiac arrest and pilgrims blame lack of medical facilities. There are no cardiologists to check the patients at various posts to Kedarnath and health certificate is not mandatory for Char Dham Yatra. According to the Health Department, the number of deaths due to cardiac arrest are higher when compared to the last year's yatra season. The death toll during the six-month yatra season last year was 39.
Alcohol to be costly in Uttarakhand
There's some bad news for tipplers in Uttarakhand. The new Excise Policy, approved by the state government, makes liquor costly as there is a two per cent cess imposed on liquor.
Out of this two per cent cess, one per cent will be for social security and another one per cent for road safety. The revenue target for for current financial year has been kept at Rs 2,310 crore while in the previous financial year it was Rs 1,905 crore.
In the new policy, the government has also fixed timings for opening and closing of liquor shops. In most districts of the state, except Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Haridwar, the shops selling liquor will open at 12 in the afternoon and will close down at 6 pm. The new excise policy will come into force from June 1.
Bollywood diva Urvashi wants to promote Uttarakhand tourism
Bollywood actor Urvashi Rautela, who hails from Uttarakahnd, has expressed her desire to be the brand ambassador for tourism in the state. BJP MLA from Dwarahat Mahesh Negi has promised her that he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.
The actor said Uttarakhand has plenty of potential for tourism and film shooting because of its scenic beauty. Urvashi, who starred in Kabil, Singh Saab the Great and Bhaag Johnny, pointed out that the Bollywood is shying away from shooting in the state owing to poor connectivity.
Stranded
As many as 400 tourists were stranded near Milam glacier in Munsiari region of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand because of heavy rains in the region. They were stranded after the torrential downpour washed away a bridge near the base camp of the glacier.
Widespread rains have been reported in various parts of the state, especially in the upper reaches. According to officials in Pitthoragarh district, the situation will become normal in two to three days and the bridge will be repaired.
Different locations of Char Dham Yatra too received rainfall, but the yatra has been going on without any major impediment.