The State Cabinet has unanimously stated that restoring Kedarnath to its past glory is the foremost priority of the State Government. This was said at the Cabinet meeting held at Kedarnath on Monday during which Chief Minister Harish Rawat presented details of the plan for development works in Kedarnath.
Addressing the meet, Rawat said that the Saraswati and Mandakini Rivers are being re-channelised. Three safety walls will be built behind the shrine at Kedarnath. Services of international experts in high altitude constructions will be taken for this work so that the walls may stand to a disaster scenario as experienced in June 2013. All the development works in Kedarnath will be executed on the basis of Geological Survey of India recommendations. The helipad behind the shrine will be developed into a Yoga centre in addition to being used as a rescue helipad. The structures fully damaged by disaster will be removed and a way will be found regarding action on other damaged structures with dialogue with the traditional right holders. The execution of works will continue after the portals of Kedarnath shrine are closed to the public for the winters on October 25. Considering the present conditions, there is possibility of continuing the works here till January 15. The power, telephone and other lines here will be made underground. No construction will be allowed behind the shrine while space will be left for corridors on the sides of the temple.
The CM said that the State has adequate lands and that the Rurdraprayag district magistrate has been made the land settlement commissioner to resolve issues related to the Teerth Purohits and traditional right holders. The cabinet also agreed to development of a memorial and Tarpan Ghat here. Additionaly, a market place will be developed for the convenience of visitors along the Triyuginarayan-Chaumasi alternative route. The cabinet also approved starting of the Char Dham Yatra during the winters through facilitation of pilgrimage to the shrines where the presiding deities of the Char Dham temples are kept and ceremoniously worshipped during the winters. The cabinet has also decided to link the Madhmaheshwar Yatra with this winter pilgrimage. Approving the proposal for drafting a Ganga action plan for Uttarakhand, the cabinet decided that another cabinet meeting will be held either at Badrinath, Devprayag or Uttarkashi to discuss sanitation schemes. An all party meet was organised after the cabinet meeting. Though the BJP did not attend the all party meet, SK Ansari of BSP, Samar Bhandari of CPI, SN Sachan of Samajwadi Party, BD Raturi of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and SS Sajwan of CPI (M) attended the meet. The CM said that the State is working to improve the motor road upto Gaurikund and widening the bridle path ahead of it.