Today, a serious bus accident in Haridwar city, Uttarakhand, left more than two dozen passengers injured, with four in critical condition. The incident occurred when a bus from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) fell off a bridge near the Har ki Pauri area. The injured passengers were immediately taken to the Haridwar district hospital, as confirmed by Yashveer Singh, in-charge of the Rodi Belwala police post.

Singh reported that the condition of four people is critical. The UPSRTC bus from the Moradabad depot fell off the bridge over the Deendayal parking area, also damaging several parked cars. Upon receiving information about the accident, the police swiftly arrived at the scene and initiated rescue operations. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

In related news, continuous rainfall has led to significant disruptions in the Gangotri region. The Gangotri Park administration has banned visitors from going to Gomukh due to extensive road damage. Notice boards have been put up at Gangotri Dham and Kankhu Barrier, informing the public about the movement restrictions on Gomukh Marg.

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This ban affects not only the usual devotees but also the Kanwariyas, who travel to Gomukh during the Kanwar Yatra in the month of Sawan to collect Ganga water. Recent rains have caused flooding in the Devgad, Chidbasa, and Bhojgaddi drains of Gangotri National Park, washing away a culvert and sweeping away two Kanwariyas from Delhi. Fortunately, the State Disaster Response Force rescued 38 other people trapped in the area.

Local traders in Gangotri Dham expressed their frustration over the ban. Traders Satendra Semwal and Deepak Rana pointed out that culverts have been washed away by rain in the past, but the route to Gomukh has never been completely blocked during the Kanwar Yatra. They accused the park administration of intentionally delaying the construction of the culvert.

Responding to these allegations, RN Pandey, Deputy Director of Gangotri National Park, explained that laborers were present in Chidbassa but could not proceed with construction work until the water levels in the drains subside.