The wounds of those who lost their loved ones in the Kedarnath deluge 10 years ago today, i.e. on June 16, may never heal, but taking lessons from the disaster, efforts to organize and secure the shrine have paid off.
Over the years, Kedarpuri has not only flourished in a divine and grand form, but its attraction has increased even more due to the reconstruction works done according to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The number of pilgrims increasing every year in Dham is an example of this.
Not only this, due to the three layer security wall just behind Kedarnath Dham and the works done on Mandakini and Saraswati river, Kedarpuri has also been made safe from disaster point of view. According to the master plan, the process of reconstruction works is still going on, due to which this Dham will set even more new paradigms.
The deluge caused devastation in Kedarnath:
Looking back, the devastation caused by the deluge in Kedarnath, then the question in everyone’s mind was whether Kedarpuri would be able to recover from it or not. Although, the reconstruction exercise of Kedarnath started soon after the disaster, it picked up pace from the year 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has special affection for Devbhoomi and deep faith in Baba Kedarnath, included Kedarnath reconstruction in his dream projects. After this, a master plan was prepared to refurbish Kedarnath according to its divine and grand form and work started accordingly. Due to the monitoring of Prime Minister Modi himself, the work got accelerated and today the result is in front of everyone.
Safe Kedarpuri:
In the master plan of Kedarnath, the reconstruction work was emphasized keeping in mind the safety standards. In the year 2013, the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers, which were in spate, turned towards the temple, which became the cause of the devastation.
In view of this, first of all in the reconstruction works, a three-layer 390 meter long, 18 feet high and two feet wide security wall was built in this part just behind the temple. Along with this, security works were done on Mandakini and Saraswati river. Apart from this, the courtyard of the temple was made open, then a two hundred meter long path was constructed right in front of it.
Tomb of Shakaracharya:
The Samadhi Sthal of Adi Guru Shankaracharya was also destroyed in the disaster. It has also been built in a new grand form at this place, which is the center of attraction for the devotees coming to the Dham. Along with this, three meditation caves have also taken shape in Kedarnath. These caves came into limelight when in the year 2019, Prime Minister Modi meditated in a cave.
Pedestrian access also made easy:
The Kedarnath walkway was destroyed in the disaster. Although the distance on foot from Gaurikund to Dham, the first stop of Kedarnath Yatra, has now been reduced to 19 km, but this route has been widened by three to four meters.
Railing has been installed on the entire route. Several halts have been developed including Lincholi, Chhoti Lincholi, Rudra Point. It is also proposed to construct four places for passengers on the route with the help of the Centre. Apart from this, the focus has been on other works including the development of passenger facilities in Dham.
These are the works done:
The open courtyard of the temple complex.
The tomb of Shankaracharya.
Aastha Path and Ghat.
Central Street.
Passenger Residential Block.
Three Meditation Caves.
Three-layer security wall behind the temple.
Security work on Mandakini and Saraswati.
Development and improvement of road and other basic facilities.
210 residences of pilgrimage priests.
Garudchatti-Kedarnath road.
Health facility with modern facilities.
VIP and main helipad.
Ishaneshwar Temple.
Haat Bazar.
Under construction and remaining works:
BKTC building under construction.
Police post building under construction.
Accommodation for remaining Tirth Purohits.
Walking route from Garudchatti to Bhimbali.
Brahmavatika just behind the temple.
Bridge on Saraswati River.
Hospital building.
Construction of guest house.
Have a look at these too:
The work of the first phase was completed at a cost of 225 crores.
Work underway on 21 schemes worth Rs 197.87 crore.
Proposed other works including residential facility at a cost of 148 crores.
