Kedarnath Pilgrims Relieved as Walk Route Repaired After Tragic Devastation

Devotees visiting Kedarnath breathe a sigh of relief as the walking route, previously destroyed, has been repaired. Thousands of pilgrims, evacuated earlier, have now safely resumed their pilgrimage. The district administration, led by local authorities, continues its efforts to ensure safe passage for all.

In what comes as a relief for devotees flocking to Kedarnath, the walking route has been almost completely repaired. This major milestone allowed pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana to complete their 15-day journey to Kedarnath Dham, as confirmed by the district administration. Devotees have expressed gratitude for the support provided by the authorities.

The arduous reconstruction was carried out by 260 laborers, following significant damage on July 31 when the walking route was devastated. Pilgrims had to be evacuated immediately. Under the direct supervision of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar, thousands of pilgrims and locals were safely rescued using helicopter services.

The district administration reported that the calamity affected a 19-kilometer stretch of the walking route at 29 different locations. Today, only a few minor issues remain, with security personnel assisting pilgrims in crossing them. Notably, over 1.09 million devotees have visited Baba Kedarnath so far, with 150 to 200 pilgrims arriving daily. Despite the availability of helicopter services, many continue to undertake the pilgrimage on foot.

The Rudraprayag district administration is working tirelessly to complete the repairs swiftly to facilitate more devotees reaching Baba Kedarnath. Hundreds of Public Works Department (PWD) workers are tasked with footpath repairs, and a parallel effort is ongoing to restore the Sonprayag-Gaurikund highway. Vehicle transit is expected to resume soon, driven by the NH department's around-the-clock efforts. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended greetings to the state on the occasion of Ghee Sankranti, underlining the significance of folk festivals in preserving heritage and tradition.