Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde announced today that more funds will be provided to Uttarakhand for rehabilitation and restoration of infrastructure damaged in the disaster.

Talking to media persons today at Dehradun, he said, as much fund required for relief and rescue operation and works for rehabilitation, will be given to the state. He said, quality must be ensured in restoration of damaged infrastructure and for returning the glory of pilgrimage and tourist places across the state.

The Home Minister said, if weather favours, evacuation of stranded pilgrims will be completed within next three days. He said it has also been decided that required equipment and man-power will be sent to the Kedarnath valley for removal of debris and recovery of dead bodies buried under the debris.

Mr. Shinde said, all precautions are being taken to check the outbreak of epidemic in the disaster affected areas. He said, Ministry of Health has sent its teams of experts to monitor the situation at ground level. Teams of doctors have also been deployed at different parts of the affected areas.

Mr. Shinde also reviewed rescue operation being conducted by the IAF, Army, ITBP and NDRF and expressed his satisfaction. He said all agencies are working in good coordination in relief and rescue operation. He was accompanied by the Union Minister of Tourism, Chiranjeevi, Union Home Secretary RK Singh, NDMA VC, M Sashidhar Reddy, officials from Health Ministry and other senior officers.

AIR Correspondent reports that Union Minister of Tourism Chiranjeevi today announced a special package of 100 crore rupees for the restoration of tourists places damaged in the disaster, specially Char Dham pilgrimage areas. He said, his Ministry has already announced a package of 95 crore for the state. He said, funds will be on the discretion of state government for its utilization.

Meanwhile, evacuation operation was hampered at Badrinath and Chamoli due to bad weather. Rescuers have planned to rescue maximum stranded people by foot and sorties will taken for old pilgrims, women, handicapped and unhealthy persons.

The Home Minister has also directed that these people should be given priority in evacuation drive. Army Chief General Vikram Singh also visited Goucher helipad and met army personnel and rescuers from IAF, ITBP, and NDRF. He could not fly to the Joshimath clement weather.

The state government machinery has speedup its drive for restoration of damaged infrastructures including roads, power and water supply systems in the disaster affected areas.

The Chief Secretary has said that Rishikesh-Badrinath and Rishikesh to Gangotri roads will be restored within one month and several months will be required for restoration of Rishikesh-Kedarnath road as it was badly damaged and at some places.

The State government has said that power supply in 3700 villages and habitats were affected in the disaster and of them, 658 villages’ power supply is yet to be restored.

The District Magistrate of Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag have been asked to mobilize all available force and men to deliver food, medical supplies and other relief material to the affected villages.

The air droppings are being carried out by small choppers in the worst affected areas including Ukhimath, Guptkashi, Sonprayag, Harshil, Matli, Goucher, and Augastmuni in the districts.

A Guard of Honour was accorded today to the victims of the Air Force helicopter crash at Dehradun. Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, General Vikram Singh, IAF, ITBP and NDRF senior officials laid wreaths over the bodies of soldiers.