Kedarnath Yatra to be undertaken at full capacity from September 7, says Kothiyal
Saturday, 31 AUGUST 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Bharatiya Janata Party State spokesman and disaster management expert colonel (retd) Ajay Kothiyal has stated that the Kedarnath pilgrimage is completely safe. The pilgrimage will be undertaken at full capacity from September 7 on the route used before 2013. Both the routes to this temple will be developed to accommodate more pilgrims in the near future, he said after returning from an inspection of arrangements for the Kedarnath pilgrimage on the directions of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Interacting with the media on Friday, Kothiyal said that the CM had directed that a detailed report should be prepared on the bridle path and other arrangements following the recent disaster in Kedarnath. Stating that he had submitted his detailed report to the CM, he said that the disaster witnessed on July 31 had caused nearly as much damage as the 2013 disaster, adding that the disaster management and other agencies involved had done commendable work. “Our priority is to work on the Yatra management in two parts. Firstly, the bridle path is being strengthened to ensure that the pilgrimage is not easily disrupted in its last phase from September 7 to November 3. The focus is also on ensuring that construction material can be transported easily for the works being undertaken at important locations in Kedarnath Dham. In the second phase after closure of the temple’s portals for the winter, the focus will be on fully resolving the other major hindrances on the route,” Kothiyal said. He assured that the pilgrimage to Kedarnath by air or the bridle path is completely safe at present. The old path used before 2013 will be used for the pilgrimage presently and later, the other route being used for the past 10 years will be improved and then reopened. The attempt will be to conduct the pilgrimage on both sides of the Mandakini river in the future so that there is no problem when the number of pilgrims increases.
Regarding those missing in the recent disaster, Kothiyal said that till date there is information about a total of 27 persons missing. While seven bodies have been recovered, the search is underway for the other missing persons.
