With the Char Dham Yatra slated to begin from April 21, State Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai has said all preparations for the pilgrimage are nearly complete though unseasonal rains and snowfall in the higher reaches have affected the works.
While addressing the media after chairing a meet with officials to review the Yatra preparations, Dhanai said, “Though most of the preparations had been completed, the work in areas still covered in snow would be completed by April 20 if the weather permits. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Public Works Department (PWD) personnel have been deployed along with bulldozers and dumpers at identified slide zones to clear the route in case of any blockage, he added.
Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma said, “The spells of fresh snowfall continuing in higher reaches are hampering works in such areas. However, the arrangements we have made for Kedarnath yatra this time are far better than the arrangements done before the 2013 disaster.”
“Currently, about 300 workers are deployed in Kedarnath where there is still six feet deep snow. For the first time, 25 bio-digesters will be installed at Kedarnath. Of the six buildings that were blocking the pilgrims’ view of Kedarnath shrine, five have been cleared for demolition after agreements were reached with the owners while the owner of the sixth building is also expected to agree very soon,” he said.
Regarding fare charged by helicopter services to Kedarnath, Sharma said the State does not intend to control market forces but will take action in case the service provider is found fleecing the customers. He said the survey for linchauli to Kedarnath cable car has been started and the facility is likely to be commissioned next year.
The BRO and PWD are also working on the two major slide zones on the route to Badrinat-Sirohbagad and lambagad with a system being put in place to divert traffic in case of blockages at these two sites. There are four difficult slide zones on the route to Gangotri in the Sukki Top area and the PWD is helping the BRO in execution of short term measures for treating these zones.
Also, the State is in the process of facilitating 3G internet facilities through BSNl at the Char Dham shrines, added Sharma.