In view of the reopening of the Badrinath temple to the public on May 11, the Chamoli district administration has started working on the preparations for the pilgrimage. There has been comparatively less snowfall in Badrinath this year but the condition of the national highway to Badrinath is not good.
On Wednesday, Chamoli district magistrate Vinod Kumar Suman along with the officials of the various departments concerned reached the Badrinath township to take stock of the situation. The district magistrate directed the officials to ensure that all the necessary arrangements should be completed without delay before the date of reopening of the Badrinath shrine.
In the meantime, some of the departments concerned have started working towards the completion of their respective tasks in Badrinath.
The district magistrate said that the pilgrims arriving in Badrinath this year will not face any inconvenience. With snow presently being absent from the temple township this time, the various departmental workers will not face inconvenience while undertaking the process of executing their respective tasks which should be completed on time.
The DM has also issued instructions to the officials concerned to ensure that various facilities are made operational for facilitation of the Badrinath pilgrimage.
However, it is pertinent to mention here that the condition of the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway 58 has remained seriously affected by damage and lack of timely repair. large potholes and ditches at various points of this national highway have not been repaired yet and if the necessary repair is not carried out on time, travellers and pilgrims travelling to Badrinath will have a bumpy ride. The condition of the road is especially bad on the stretch from lambagad to Badrinath.
Talking to 'The Pioneer' on this issue, the Chamoli district magistrate said that instructions have been issued to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to ensure completion of the works before the reopening of the Badrinath shrine and resumption of the pilgrimage to this temple. Directions have also been issued to immediately undertake the painting work on stretches of the road which are in proper condition, he added.
The Chamoli district superintendent of police, Priti Priyadarshini said that pilgrims and other visitors will not face any problem in the facilitation made for the Yatra. Proper arrangements will be made for parking of vehicles in addition to ensuring effective measures for security, she added.