Mumbai:
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced Rs 10 crore in aid for rescue and relief operation of the pilgrims from the state stranded in Uttarakhand due to incessant rains and landslides.
As many as 1,353 pilgrims from Maharashtra are stranded in the northern state, of which 334 are still not traceable. The remaining 1,019 pilgrims were contacted, government sources said.
The state government has decided to accord top priority to reach the stranded pilgrims in various districts of Uttarakhand and enable them to reach their destinations safely, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said after the state cabinet meeting in Mumbai.
Mr Chavan is in constant touch with his Uttarakhand counterpart Vijay Bahuguna.
One more camp office has been opened by the Maharashtra government in Haridwar. One office is already functioning at Dehradun.
Additional Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra Sadan (Delhi) Pradeep Kumar and four officers rushed to Dehradun to coordinate with the pilgrims and provide all necessary assistance.
A special team, comprising Deputy Collectors of Thane and Raigad districts, has also been sent from Mumbai.
"We are making all efforts to bring all the pilgrims back," the Chief Minister said.