Uttarakhand rains: Maharashtra announces Rs 10 crore aid for pilgrims

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government today announced Rs 10 crore aid for rescue and relief of the pilgrims from the state stranded in Uttarakhand due to incessant rains and landslides.

As many as 1,353 pilgrims from Maharashtra are stranded in the northern state, of which 334 are still not traceable. The remaining 1,019 pilgrims could be contacted, government sources said.

The state government has decided to accord top priority to reach the stranded pilgrims in various districts of Uttarakhand and enable them reach their destinations safely, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said after the state cabinet meeting here.

Chavan is in constant touch with his Uttarakhand counterpart Vijay Bahuguna.

One more camp office has been opened by the Maharashtra government in Haridwar. One office is already functioning at Dehradun.

The Cabinet discussed measures to help people from the state stranded in Uttarakhand, Chavan said.

Additional Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra Sadan (Delhi) Pradeep Kumar and four officers rushed to Dehradun to coordinate with the pilgrims and provide them necessary assistance.

A special team, comprising Deputy Collectors of Thane and Raigad districts, has also been sent from Mumbai.

"We are making all efforts to bring all the pilgrims back," the Chief Minister said.