Rudraprayag: As weather has been playing spoilsport in Kedarnath pilgrimage through the Heli services, the state government is laying emphasis on earliest possible repair of damaged part of the pedestrian route. However, it may take a week to run the yatra through the trek route.
Kedarnath pilgrimage resumed on Thursday vis Helicopters
The state government has restarted Kedarnath pilgrimage using Helicopters on Wednesday announcing 25 percent discount in fare but Helicopter’s sorties weren’t possible due to the adverse weather and poor visibility in Kedar Valley. Later, on Thursday, this yatra resumed when the weather got clear in the morning. A total of 18 pilgrims reached the shrine and had darshan of Lord Kedarnath. Around 26 pilgrims had to stay in Kedarnath as Helicopter rides were hampered due to the clouds in the valley.
Trekking route to Kedarnath Dham will be repaired within the next week
The Kedarnath trek route is currently undergoing repairs after heavy rains caused significant damage in Kedarghati on July 31. The pilgrimage was disrupted as the path from Bhimbali to Lincholi was wiped out in more than half a dozen places. The Public Works Department is making all technical efforts to restore the path. Officials have stated that creating a road at approximately 10 locations on the Kedarnath route will require cutting through rocks to establish an alternative route. Pankaj Pandey, Secretary of the Public Works Department, mentioned that orders have already been placed for 10 folding bridges, and preparations are underway to construct these bridges. After visiting the site and assessing the situation, Pandey assured that the trekking route to Kedarnath Dham will be repaired within the next week.
Advanced technology will be employed to address these challenges
State tourism minister and public works department minister Satpal Maharaj has assured that efforts to resume the foot journey to Kedarnath Dham are ongoing. Agencies are working tirelessly to reconstruct the road leading to Gaurikund and the footpath from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Dham. Advanced technology will be employed to address these challenges. Options such as valley bridges and folding bridges are being considered, and the appropriate type of bridge will be installed based on the specific requirements of each location.
