Maharashtra pilgrims stuck in Uttarakhand efforts on to move them to safer place Shinde

PTI Updated: July 01, 2025 20:22 IST
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Mumbai, Jul 1 (PTI) A large group of tourists from Maharashtra is stranded at Yamunotri, a key Char Dham site in Uttarakhand, and efforts are on by local authorities to rescue and move them to a safer location, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Tuesday.
The Maharashtra government is in touch with its Uttarakhand counterpart to ensure the safety of devotees, he told reporters in the premises of Vidhan Bhavan, where the state legislature is currently having its monsoon session.
"Some people from Maharashtra are stuck at Yamunotri Dham. I have personally spoken to one of the affected tourists from Mahabaleshwar (in Satara district). We are in touch with the government in Uttarakhand, and they have informed us that rescue operations are underway. Once rescued, the stranded pilgrims will be transported to a safer location in Rishikesh," Shinde said.
A statement from the Deputy Chief Minister's Office later said 150 people from Maharashtra are stuck in Yamunotri Dham.
Shinde, during his phone conversation, assured the stranded tourists that the government in the hill state will extend all possible help to them.
According to the statement, the Shiv Sena leader will also speak to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami over the well-being of pilgrims from Maharashtra.
Pilgrims were stranded at Yamunotri Dham due to a massive landslide triggered by a cloudburst on Sunday. The pilgrimage to Yamunotri remained disrupted on Monday with the highway to the Himalayan temple breached at several points.
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya said with normal rainfall on Monday, the road restoration work along Yamunotri has gathered pace.

"Opening it (highway) to traffic is our priority. Yamunotri pilgrims held up in places like Janakichatti and other such places are safe. There are medical teams, administrative personnel and enough food supplies for them," Arya said on Monday.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)