Union Minister for Water Resources and Haridwar MP, Harish Rawat, who along with 100 of supporters had gone to Kedarnath by trekking a day ahead of formal resumption of Kedarnath Yatra, has categorically said, “a lot still needs to be done to improve the condition in Kedar valley which bore the brunt of the mid June calamity in the State.”
With this statement Rawat has tried to highlight the ground situation. Although political analyst said that by making this statement Union Cabinet Minister has again created flutter in the State Government. At the same time he said that administration had done lot to resume the trekking route but the routes were very dangerous and there was need to find alternative route for Char Dham Yatra-2014.
Rawat, who reached Kedarnath via trekking a day ahead of formal reopening of Yatra, said that a lot has been done and lot more needs to be done to develop the condition in the area. Talking to The Pioneer, Rawat said that he would incorporate all micro and macro detail of the trekking route to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. He would also mention suggestions needed to incorporate while preparing plan for the next year Char Dham Yatra.
He further said, "Currently administration has made arrangement of accommodation for mere 100 pilgrims and it should be made available for at least 2,000 pilgrims at one time." With the portals of the famed temple set to close in December for the winters, emphasis now should be on how to make the pilgrimage more secure for devotees next year, he said, adding Uttarakhand is gradually recovering from the effects of the tragedy and one of the objectives of his visit to Kedarnath is to give a message to the country that life is getting back on track in the rain-ravaged State.