PECIAL TEAM LED BY SENIOR IAS OFFICER A.S.MIGLANI REACHES JOSHI MATH

* EVACUATION WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON

* NO CASUALTY REPORTED SO FAR; EVERY THING IS FINE

* LOCAL ARMY CONSTRUCTS MAKESHIFT BRIDGE FOR MOVEMENT OF PILGRIMS BETWEEN GOBIND GHAT AND GOBIND DHAM

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 28: A special team deputed by the state government for the evacuation of pilgrims stranded at Gobind Ghat and Gobind Dham have started rescue operations.

Disclosing this here today the head of the team Mr. A.S.Miglani informed that all the members of the team were in touch with pilgrims at Gurdwara Sahib in Joshi Math. He said that the entire work of the evacuation of the pilgrims who were stuck up at Gobind Dham as the bridge between the Gobind Ghat and Gobind Dham had been washed away due to heavy rain, had been now repaired by the local army and the pilgrims in small groups of 2-3 persons were escorted by the army personnel to cross the bridge and have been brought back safely at Gobind Ghat.

Mr. Miglani further informed that the Punjab Roadways Buses could not reach Joshi Matt as they were stuck up in the way near Rishikesh due to several land slides on the way and now the small buses would be arranged by the State Transport Department to bring back the stranded pilgrims enroute to Sri Hem Kund Sahib to Punjab safely. These mini buses were expected to reach at Joshi Math tomorrow afternoon from where these pilgrims would be sent back to Punjab. All the pilgrims were being provided food in the Gurdwaras at Joshi Math and Gobind Ghat.

The local army has detained the pilgrims waiting for their turn to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Hem Kund Sahib till the passage and damage brdige connecting Gobind Ghat and Gobind Dham was fully repaired and becomes operational. The army personnel has advised the pilgrims to return their state till the completion of new bridge.

Mr. Miglani also apprised that no causality has been reported so far and every thing was fine and under control of the army. The pilgrims were also being provided with medical facilities, if required and medicines. The other members of the team who were deputed to oversee and ensure safe return of stranded pilgirms to Punjab included . Inspector General of Police Mr. Gautam Cheema, SDM Mohali, Mr. Lakhvir Singh, and Assistant Registrar Cooperative Capt. Gurdeep Singh Dhillon.