UT launches facility to track missing city pilgrims

The first list of people from Chandigarh who were rescued in Uttarakhand was uploaded along with their current location on the “person tracking facility”,which was started on Saturday. The list comprises three people who were rescued from Kedar Ghati. There is also a list of vehicle numbers along with the names of the people who have been rescued. One person on the list has been brought from Kedarnath to Guptkashi. The list also names a resident of Panchkula who has been rescued.

Secretary,Information Technology,Prerna Puri said,“A team of four to five people from the IT Department has been put on the task of scrutinising the lists that are being uploaded by the Uttarakhand government. The information about the residents from the city and even those on the list from the neighbouring towns is being uploaded. We are planning to start a facility where people will be able to upload pictures of their family members who are missing.”

The lists that are being uploaded by the Uttarakhand government on their website are mostly handwritten ones which are being updated once a day. Once these are uploaded,the IT Department staff scans them and locates information pertaining to Chandigarh. The links to the complete list are also being provided on the administration’s website.

In another step,the administration has sent a team of more than 20 volunteers of civil defence and home guards along with relief material to the affected area. UT Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Shayin said,“We have received calls from city residents about three missing people on the helpline that has been started. The Uttarakhand government is compiling the lists. When information is available,it will be conveyed.”