Uttarakhand CM flags off "Mission Atal" to scale 2 peaks in Gangotri glacier

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat Thursday flagged off a joint mountaineering expedition to two virgin peaks in Gangotri glacier, which are to be named after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The joint expedition -- "Mission Atal" -- being undertaken by teams from the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) will scale two peaks located at 6,557 and 6,566 metres in Gangotri glacier in 25-30 days, after which they would be named Atal-1 and Atal-2, an official release here said.

These peaks have never been climbed by mountaineers so far, it said.

The chief minister said climbing two virgin peaks in Gangotri glacier will be an experience full of adventure and thrill.

Describing Vajpayee's personality as both towering and pure, Rawat said it will be appropriate to name the two Himalayan peaks after the former prime minister.

Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on August 16 after a prolonged illness.

The mountaineering team will also spread the message of environment conservation and ban on use of polythene, the statement said.

Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj and principal NIM Colonel Amit Bisht were present on the occasion.

(With inputs from agencies.)