In a bid to review the ongoing cleaning of debris from Kedarnath temple, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna visited Kedarnath temple on Monday. later, he along with Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, also offered voluntary labour in the cleaning of temple, which is being done by the Badri Kedar temple committee. The CM reiterated that the State would convert the disaster into development.
“Kedaranth was a centre of people’s faith all over India and the world. We shall make all efforts to maintain the dignity, sanctity and prestige of the temple. The splendour of the place will be brought back. It will again be full of disciples and devotees,” the CM added. Talking to the media after returning from Kedarnath, CM Bahuguna said that it was the first Monday of the season of ‘Shrawan’ and there used to be special prayers on the occasion in the Kedarnath premises. Work of cleaning the temple premises is going on full swing. At present, the temple committee employees are involved in getting the temple premises cleaned, after which the entire premises of Kedarnath will be cleaned, for which an action plan has been prepared.
In Guptkashi area, a helicopter has been allotted to drop off temple necessities as well as labourers, drinking water and essential food items. Currently, the conditions at the Kedarnath temple are very challenging and people are working in these difficult circumstances. There is hope that worship, too, would start soon in the temple. To pay tribute to the departed souls, the Government would build a memorial in Kedarnath. It would be ensured that it does not violate the aesthetics of the temple.
During the survey, the CM learnt that the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was secure. There is 3 to 4 feet of sand in the area. An alternate route to the temple is also being explored. In light of the current disaster, special focus will have to given on the roads leading to the pilgrimage sites.
Besides the cleanliness, even the re-construction of destroyed buildings and infrastructure would be done keeping the environment in mind and advice would be taken from the GSI and ASI, CM added.
The State is getting relief help from the Central Government as well as the entire nation, he pointed out. The State Government would have adequate funds for re-construction. The Centre was being kept updated on development and discussions were on with the officials. Soon talks will also be held with the Prime Minister on the work of redevelopment.
Other dignitaries, including Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee President and Srinagar MlA Ganesh Godiyal, Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Rudraprayag DM Dilip Jawalkar and officials, were present during the CM visit.