Chandigarh, June 21, 2013: To supplement the Punjab State Government relief efforts for evacuation of pilgrims stranded in Uttrakhand, Punjab Police has dispatched 105 Punjab Police buses have been dispatched to Rishikesh for transportation of the Yatris. These include 64 mini buses which will ferry the stranded persons from the upper reaches to Rishikesh. Each vehicle has two drivers and two policemen for assistance. The State Transport Buses which have been dispatched to Rishikesh have also been provided with two policemen per bus. Close to a thousand Punjab Police men have been sent to Rishikesh.
A Recovery Van, two Ambulances and a Support Vehicle having mechanics, Public Address System and spare diesel has also been dispatched. A round-the-clock working Control Room has been set-up under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police,Mohali at the ISBT, Sector 43, Chandigarh for assisting the evacuated Yatris and sending them to their places of residence in Punjab, transportation arrangement for which have been made by the State Government. DIG Sh. Khubi Ram and Commandant Sh. Rakesh Kaushal who have been camping at Rishikesh for the last 3 days, are coordinating the evacuation of Yatris from upper reaches to Rishikesh and their onwards transportation to Punjab.
As a small token, IPS and PPS officers of Punjab Police have contributed their one day’s salary for the relief operations.