Three years after the 2013 Kedarnath disaster wreaked destruction killing thousands of people, the State authorities claim to have achieved considerable success in reconstruction efforts especially at Kedarnath where facilities like helipad, pre-fabricated cottages for visitors and regular helicopter service have since been provided for the resumption of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
However, those living in disaster-affected areas, residents of more than 300 villages vulnerable to disaster, scientists and activists have lambasted the authorities stating that no lesson appears to have been learnt from the 2013 disaster on top of which some of the construction and development works have been executed in a manner which is likely to exacerbate the damage in case of another natural disaster.
Varied infrastructural developments and rehabilitation of disaster victims has been facilitated by the State. Observers point at various construction and development works which have been executed in contradiction to expert opinion in a manner that may exacerbate damage in case of disaster.
Kedarnath was the main focus of Governmental efforts with helipads being constructed and work being done for improving the bridle path and communication facilities in this temple area. However, some of these works like construction of the bathing ghat along the confluence of Mandakini and Saraswati rivers in Kedarnath have affected the course and narrowed the channel of the river exacerbating the risk of flash flood, as was stated in the State’s expert committee report submitted recently to the State Government.
One of the experts on this committee told The Pioneer that works executed in Kedarnath were done in a manner contrary to recommendations made by geologists and subject experts to the State Government.
On condition of anonymity, the scientist said, “The State authorities appear to have focused mainly on securing funds from the Centre and other sources for reconstruction and rehabilitation works which too appear focused mainly on facilitating pilgrimage especially to Kedarnath.
Even the supreme court ordered committee headed by Ravi Chopra had ascertained negative impact of large dams but the authorities appear to be ignoring this fact.
Recently, the CM had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought `13,000 crore special package from the Centre for relocation and resettlement of residents of 352 villages identified as vulnerable to disaster according to survey conducted by the Geological Survey of India, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and other institutions.
“We had suggested measures to improve the situation at Kedarnath, stressing on the need for controlling construction in the area and not
tampering with the course of the river but as in other instances too, the authorities did the opposite of what the experts had recommended. Despite revelations on the impact of large dams in the 2013 disaster, the State focused on securing Central approval for such projects like the 300 MW capacity lakhwad hydro electric project and the 660 MW capacity Kisau HEP,” he pointed out.