Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured the safe return of tourists from the state stranded in flood and landslide-hit Uttarakhand, saying active efforts are underway in coordination with local authorities.
Speaking to the media, Shinde said, “Our Tourism Minister has spoken with his Uttarakhand counterpart, and I personally discussed the situation with Uttarakhand officials and the Special Secretary of the Chief Minister’s Office. I also spoke directly to some of the stranded tourists—they are safe and receiving assistance. Our officers are on the way to support the rescue, and we will bring everyone back safely.”
Meanwhile, on July 1, restoration of the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district continued at full pace after landslides and heavy rains caused severe damage. Seven heavy machines, including Poklane and JCBs, were working around the clock from both directions at Ojri to clear debris and reopen the route.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya, who reached the affected area on foot from Silai Band on Tuesday, is personally supervising relief efforts. He assured that restoring road access and ensuring the safety of pilgrims and residents are the administration’s top priorities.
Due to road washouts in multiple locations, a transhipment system has been set up to safely ferry Yamunotri pilgrims from Ojri to Silai Band, where they continue their journey on foot. Arya emphasized that deployed teams have been instructed to work with maximum sensitivity and caution.
Arya also told ANI, “Traffic has been disrupted due to road washouts at three locations in the Silai Band area. Work is underway on a war footing to restore smooth traffic movement.”
As rescue and repair operations intensify, authorities have pledged all necessary support to affected pilgrims and locals, with special attention given to those stranded en route to the sacred Yamunotri Dham.
