Efforts to have unbridled ‘Adi Kailash’- ‘OM Parvat Yatra’ during monsoon months

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Efforts to have unbridled ‘Adi Kailash’- ‘OM Parvat Yatra’ during monsoon months

B.D. Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, June 6

Pithoragarh district administration have joined hands with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to keep the ‘Adi Kailash’ and ‘OM Parvat yatra’ route clear from debris during monsoon months as the road to Gunji camp from Dharchula base camp is sensitive from landslides points of view at several places.

“We have instructed the BRO officials to deputed JCB machines or other essential equipments at the places where the landslide debris could block the road,” said Reena Joshi, District Magistrate, Pithoragarh.

According to BRO officers, the sensitive spots from landslide points of view on Dharchula- Gunji road of yatra, are Tawaghat, Malpa, Malari, Bundi and Chiyalekh.

” We are giving special attention to these as well as other landslides sensitive places by deputing essential equipments there to keep the yatra going continuously during Monsoon months,” said a BRO officer at Dharchula.

The District Magistrate has also instructed District Supply Officer to deposit food grains for areas in higher reaches of Dharchula sub-division, before monsoon, for no villagers or pilgrims could face crunch of essential commodities.

‘Adi Kailash Yatra’, that began from first week of May this year is witnessing over almost 700 pilgrims on daily basis these days.”We expect the number will increase from the month of July,” said Dhan Singh Bisht, incharge of base camp of yatra at Dharchula.

The rush for ‘Adi Kailash Yatra’ multiplied after the visit of Prime Minister Modi in the month of October 2023 and is being run by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) and private operators as well.

“We will try to continue the yatra till July 15, normally if heavy rains does not occur but if rains remain continues, the yatra could be suspended informing the pilgrims online,” said Dhan Singh

While over 9000 pilgrims have visited the ‘Adi Kailash’ and ‘OM Parvat’ on tours by private operators and KMVN alone had taken 300 pilgrims to the holi places till date beginning from May 13, this year.”We have completed nine batches of pilgrims, so far and will continue till we complete 15 batches by July 2nd and if monsoon rains make it difficult to operate on road, will again resume from September 1, 2024,” said the KMVN base camp incharge at Dharchula.