Kiran Kumar Reddy reviews relief operations

Hyderabad, June 27 : The Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who is in New Delhi today morning held a review meeting at AP Bhavan with officials over phone and asked about the progress in search operations for untraced victims.

He reviewed rescue & relief measures with Union Minister Balaram Naik, State Ministers Sridhar Babu and Uttam Kumar Reddy and Senior officials of the State who are deputed to oversee the relief operations.

Minister D Sridhar Babu informed the Chief Minister that only 8 stranded pilgrims are in TTD relief camp in Dehra Dun. Food and medicines are being provided and he also said that Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and Disaster Management Commissioner Dr. T Radha are continuously monitoring with Army and Air Force officials for search, rescue and airlift operations. He has also stated that the State Government has kept 2 helicopters ready to airlift the stranded people of Andhra Pradesh.

Army issued clear instructions that the stranded pilgrims will be transported as per the tokens already issued, and airlifting is being carried out according to weather conditions.

Meanwhile the Chief Minister spoke to some of the stranded pilgrims particularly to Chinna Veeraswamy now staying at Chinnajiyar Swamy Mutt, Badrinath, this morning over phone and assured all help to airlift as soon as the weather clears.

Kiran Kumar Reddy directed Senior IAS Officer Adityanath Das, deputed to oversee the relief measures, to provide all assistance to them. As per the Chief Minister’s directions, Adityanath Das spoke to the Army Officials and requested them to airlift the victims sheltered at Badrinath.

The Chief Minister also spoke to the in-charge Swamiji of the Mutt at Badrinath, who said that all victims are being provided with food, medicines and other facilities by the State Government. They said that they have full confidence that they will be safely transported back by the State Government officials. Four teams of 10 each stationed at Dehra Dun Haridwar and Rishikesh are providing relief and assistance besides medicines.

As per the latest information, pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh stranded are 2,782 and pilgrims returned safely are 1,657 and pilgrims reported safe but not returned are 829. Pilgrims facilitated train/air tickets are 1,549. As per reports, the number of pilgrims not returned but reported safe are either on the way to their home or staying at different places i.e. New Delhi, Dehra Dun, Hardwar, Horsley Military Camp, Ujjaini, Badrinath, Agra, Ellora Caves, Dakshina Kashi and Rishikesh. INN