Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed that special focus should be laid in the Badrinath master plan to maintain its ancient and spiritual value. The form of the master plan for Badrinath should be based entirely on spiritual aspects and not on tourism. The PM said this during a video conference in which the master plan for Badrinath was presented on Wednesday. He was also informed about the progress in the Kedarnath reconstruction during the meeting.
PM Modi said that Badrinath should be developed as a mini-smart and spiritual city where homestays can also be developed. Other spiritual sites nearby should also be linked to it. He further said that special lighting should be put up at the entrance of Badrinath Dham in accordance with a spiritual ambiance.
Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that the cooperation of the locals is being received in development works in Badrinath and Kedarnath. Work on homestays is also being undertaken in nearby villages. He said that the confluence of the Saraswati and Alaknanda rivers- Keshavprayag can also be developed. Considering the importance of the Vyas Gufa, devotees should also get to know about its significance. Rawat further said that land will not be an issue while executing the Badrinath master plan. As in Kedarnath, work will be carried out round the year in Badrinath, he added.
The State’s Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj said that work is underway at a brisk pace on the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project and the Char Dham national highway project. The completion of these projects will make the Char Dham Yatra much more convenient for the devotees, he added.
Officials stated in the presentation of the Badrinath master plan that an 85 hectare area has been taken for this purpose. The Devdarshini spot will be developed while a museum and art gallery will also be built. Information will be provided about the Dashavatar- 10 incarnations of lord Vishnu through audio visual means. The deadline for completing work on this master plan is 2025. Chief secretary Om Prakash informed the PM about the progress in the Kedarnath reconstruction project. The work on Adi Shankaracharya’s Samadhi is underway at a brisk pace. The work of constructing Astha Path has been completed on the Saraswati Ghat while work on two meditation caves will be completed by the end of this month. The site for Brahmakamal nursery has been marked and now seeds are being collected for the nursery, he informed.