EI Spreads Its Wings to Uttarkashi and Chamoli |
| Equine influenza may be counting its days at Gaurikund with Kedranath yatra about to restart, but the impact of the flu does not seem to come to an end in Uttranchal as it spread its wings to Uttarkashi and Chamoli. The two districts have reported ten positive cases. Recently, a number of horses were tested positive in Mussoorie. According to reliable sources, blood samples of 20 horses at Banbasa (Champawat) have also been found positive. The virus, which has already made 48 horses/mules victim at Gaurikund, halted the 14-kilometre trek to Kedarnath. The yatra to the famous pilgrimage of Hindus began on April 30. Seeing the widespread of equine influenza, the movement of horses and mules have already been banned on the orders of the Commissioner of Garhwal Mandal. Meantime, the horses who have recovered from the setback have been redeployed by their respective owners or masters. Around 1,400 horses and mules have been put back so far to start ferry services to the holy shrine. Also, for the pilgrims who find it difficult to reach the shrine, Chopper services have now come into operation. Prabhatam, a private airline, has started carrying nearly ten to 20 devotees from Fata area. Following the suit of Prabhatam, the government-owned Pawan Hans has also restored its service for Kedarnath. A plan of deploying special chartered flights to Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines from Sahastradhara helipad, which is situated in Dehradun, is also on agenda. |
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