The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) team at Kedarnath has completed various arrangements to facilitate the pilgrimage to the shrine along with accommodation of the pilgrims. The 500 plus strong NIM team has succeeded in clearing snow in the route from Rambada to Kedarnath, according to the institute's principal Colonel Ajay Kothiyal.
The portals of Kedarnath shrine are slated to be reopened for the public on April 24. But the unseasonal rains and snowfall being experienced in the higher reaches of the State had posed challenges in the clearing and repair of roads on the Char Dham Yatra circuit. However, the NIM team that has been undertaking restoration and reconstruction works at Kedarnath for more than a year now has overcome various challenges posed by the high altitude terrain and weather.
Colonel Kothiyal said, "We are working on keeping the route from Rambada to Kedarnath clear. We have made arrangements to facilitate the stay of about 1,800 pilgrims at Kedarnath. Some 300 people will be adjusted in the existing buildings that are no more dangerous. Besides, 100 tents for about 800 people and 32 cottages apart from the 25 pre fabricated structures have been put up by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). We have tackled the challenges," added NIM principal.
According to tourism officials, about 12,000 advance bookings have been made for Kedarnath through the GMVN. State officials aver that the arrangements facilitated at Kedarnath for the pilgrims this year are much better than the arrangements in place before disaster struck in June 2013.