Bengal ministers in Uttarakhand to rescue stranded tourists

KOLKATA: Two West Bengal ministers today held discussions with the Uttarakhand government to expedite rescue of stranded tourists and pilgrims from the state.

West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra and Planning Minister Rachpal Singh met the local administration and called on the Uttarakhand transport minister to discuss about how tourists and pilgrims from Bengal could be air-lifted, state's Disaster Management department sources said here.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had yesterday asked both the ministers to rush to Uttarakhand and arrange for the return of stranded tourists from the state.

Both ministers are scheduled to meet Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna tomorrow to further discuss developments regarding rescue operation.

"I have spoken to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister. I have requested him to rescue the tourists and pilgrims from Bengal, stranded mainly in the Kedarnath area," Mamata Banerjee had said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the state government has requested the Railway Board to arrange trains from Dehradun to Kolkata to bring back the stranded tourists and pilgrims.

"They have been requested to run special trains for one week. They have also been requested to add adequate number of extra coaches to Dehradun-Howrah Express, Upasana Express and Haridwar-Howrah Express," state secretariat sources said.

However, there was no report of any casualty of any tourist or pilgrim from the state as yet.

The Army has been able to establish route and supply of food in Kedarnath and Gourikund area. Food and drinking water would be available in areas which were totally cut off, sources here said.