6 days ago
Gangotri traders face Rs 50cr loss from disaster as 300 shops shut, tourism paralysed
Dehradun: Gangotri Dham, which draws lakhs of pilgrims every year during the Char Dham yatra, now stands empty and silent, with about 300 shops in its premises shut after a flash flood hit Dharali village, 20 km before the shrine.
Located on the banks of the Bhagirathi, Gangotri remains cut off after stretches of road between the shrine and Bhatwari block, including a 200m section near Dabrani and a 600m stretch near Songad, were completely washed away. Communication lines are down, movement of essential goods has stopped, and the local economy is reeling.
Suresh Semwal, secretary of the Gangotri Temple Samiti, told TOI on Tuesday, "To date, the possible loss is around Rs 50 crore, and it will only increase.
All 300-odd shops in the temple premises have been shut, and many others, including purohits, mule and horse handlers, and daily wage workers, have been badly affected. It has been eight days since the disaster, and we don't know how long it will take for things to return to normal.
" Over eight lakh pilgrims visited the shrine last year, and official data shows more than six lakh had come this year before the disaster.
Somesh Singh Semwal, who runs a hotel, restaurant, and confectionery shop, said, "I earn around Rs 30,000 to 40,000 daily during this time every year.
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Now it has gone down to zero." Many other businesses, including those selling prasad and traditional dress shops, are also facing heavy losses, with traders warning that prolonged closure could wipe out the yatra season for them entirely.
Following the flash floods, around 1,200 tourists were evacuated from Gangotri and Harsil, officials said. NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and Indian Army teams continue search and rescue operations, with the govt on Tuesday releasing details of the two confirmed dead and the 66 — including 24 Nepalis — still missing. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Department (PWD), and other teams are also working to restore road connectivity, with BRO on Sunday completing a bailey bridge at Limchigadh after a vital 25m bridge connecting the road to Harsil was washed away in the Aug 5 flash flood.
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