Army jawans are busy clearing the path to lokpal-Hemkund of snow these days in the high altitude region of Chamoli district. A team of 30 jawans of the 418 engineers’ corps under the leadership of Subedar Itbal Singh is working to clear the snow off the path to the high altitude pilgrimage centre.
According to sources, the task of clear snow from the track to lokpal-Hemkund Sahib has been underway in this area since April 29. Since then the army jawans have cut away the snow and cleared a 1,300 metre stretch of the path. Clearing the path to lokpal-Hemkund is nothing less of a big challenge with the hardest hurdle being the size of glaciers scattered along the route to the pilgrimage centre. In places the path is narrow while at some spots there is a sharp curve. On top of this, there is always the risk of a portion of the glacier breaking away and falling. Further, machinery cannot be used for the task of clearing the snow from the path. In addition to this, the weather also poses a challenge to those doing the work. These days, with the change in weather, the snowfall being received here is posing some problems for those involved in the task of clearing the snow from the route. leader of the army team working to clear the snow, Subedar Itbal Singh states that about 2.5 kilometre length of the route to lokpal-Hemkund now remains to be cleared of the snow. The task of clearing the snow off the route is expected to be completed by May 20. It is pertinent to mention here that the shrines of lokpal and Hemkund Sahib are slated to be reopened to the public on May 25.