Kedarnath: To ease the congestion on Kedarnath trek route in view of increasing pilgrims’ footfall in the coming year, the old Rambada-Garudachatti will be revived soon and this on-foot pilgrimage will be one way for pilgrim’s easy movement.
As per the administration, the estimated cost of this project will be around five crores. The old route, spanning 5.35 km, is being rebuilt to make the journey easier.
Old route was destroyed during Kedarnath floods in 2013
Following the devastating disaster in June 2013, approximately 7 km of the trekking route from Rambara to Kedarnath was completely destroyed. Subsequently, the Nehru Mountaineering Institute constructed a new 9 km path on the right side of the Mandakini River from Rambada, which has been used for the past 10 years. However, the increasing number of pilgrims on this new route has put significant pressure on it.
Heavy rains and landslides caused a massive destruction to new route
Additionally, this new route has suffered extensive damage due to the disaster on 31 July this year. The increasing incidents of landslides in the area have caused concern for both pilgrims and the local administration. In response, efforts to revive the old route have begun. The 5.35 km long and 1.8-meter-wide path from Rambada to Garudchatti is being restored. This reconstruction will make the journey to Kedarnath Dham easier on foot. Moreover, the Garudchatti area, which has been deserted since the 2013 disaster, will also be revived.
Ministry of environment allowed transfer of forest land
The idea to revive the old path emerged in 2015. Since then, land surveys and other formalities have been completed in various phases. In 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, approved the project, allowing the transfer of 0.983 hectares of forest land. The forest wealth compensation was deposited in March-April 2023, following which the tender was issued.
Work has been started in August
Starting from the third week of August 2023, the Public Works Department (PWD) began reviving the old path from Rambada to Garudchatti. Currently, about one kilometer of cutting work has been completed. Additionally, a new bridge has been constructed over the Mandakini River, connecting this route to the Kedarnath temple.
Kedarnath pilgrimage will be one-way journey
Once the old route is revived, the Kedarnath Yatra will become a one-way journey. Pilgrims will travel to the Dham via the new route and return via the old route. This will help reduce traffic pressure on the new route and bring the old route back into use.
Additionally, horses and mules will operate on the new route, while the old route will be made safe and smooth for pedestrians. This change aims to enrich the Kedarnath Yatra experience and ensure a balanced travel system, considering both the local environment and passenger safety.
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