Gobind Ghat/Dehradun, June 27
As one of the biggest rescue operations draws to a close in Uttarakhand, the agencies today evacuated 1,711 pilgrims and local residents across the state. Around 2,500 people still remain stranded in Badrinath.

Around 900 pilgrims, accompanied by Army jawans and Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel, today undertook a trek from Badrinath to Gobind Ghat after rescue teams said it was difficult to evacuate all those stranded by air. They were picked up by vehicles at Gobind Ghat for onward journey. Gobind Ghat, 27 km short of Badrinath, is now the hub of activity.

People stranded at Badrinath are not in immediate danger as enough supplies of food, blankets and drinking water have been provided there.

Central Army Commander Lt Gen Anil Chait, who is coordinating the operations, accompanied one of the groups. He lauded the courage of the people, who were spurred by the sight of a top Army Commander walking alongside. Another 450 were evacuated by helicopters today. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne had yesterday said four clear days were needed to evacuate the pilgrims from Badrinath.

“It takes around seven hours for an able-bodied man to do the trek,” a Major said.

The pilgrims undertaking the trek are being ferried on the 14-km motorable stretch from Badrinath to Hanuman Chatti en route to Joshimath. From there, they trek 13 km to Gobind Ghat. The major bridge at Lambagar over the Alaknanda, which had been washed away, has been replaced with a steel bridge by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Army engineers.

Once the pilgrims arrive at Gobind Ghat, they are taken to Joshimath by buses provided by the ITBP, Army and civil administration. The Punjab Police has also has sent in three buses.

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and the Joshimath unit of the Congress have set up ‘langar’ (community kitchens) at Gobind Ghat.