The portals of Badrinath shrine are scheduled to be opened for the public on April 26, but the condition of the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway, NH 58, has not yet improved as desired. While the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) team is working on restoration and reconstruction works in Kedarnath, the locals are questioning the stance of the State Government considering the failure to improve the condition of NH 58 especially at the lambagad slide zone.
The lambagad slide zone has been a major problem on NH 58 for about 17 years now. The highway often gets blocked by debris at this slide zone during the rains. However, so far, no effective plan could be executed for ensuring the proper treatment of this slide zone. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Public Works Department had been accorded the responsibility of treatment of this slide zone, but the situation is yet to improve.
If sources are to be believed, the PWD had facilitated the visit of foreign slide zone experts to lambagad, but little progress has been achieved since then. The residents of the region are dissatisfied with the government stance regarding the lambagad slide zone.
They point out that the department also had a plan for constructing a tunnel through the slide zone, but no such work is being undertaken. While reconstruction work is continuing at a brisk pace in the snow clad Kedarnath region, the locals are accusing the State Government of continuing its apathy towards the lambagad slide zone.
If the authorities fail to take concrete measures without delay, pilgrims and tourists visiting the area could face traffic blockages at the lambagad slide zone during the rains. It remains to be seen whether the State Government acts as required at a time when it is trying to once again attract visitors to Uttarakhand assuring them of a safe and convenient experience.