Kedarnath: BKTC to provide free accommodation facilities to pilgrims in case of blockage during monsoon

Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) [India], August 4 (ANI): The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) will provide pilgrims with free accommodation in all their rest houses in case of road blockages during the monsoon season.

BKTC President Ajendra Ajay, in a conversation with ANI, said he had issued instructions to officials on Sunday and further added that every possible help would be provided to pilgrims in any emergency.

The BKTC has rest houses located at major points along the Kedarnath and Badrinath Yatra routes, where accommodation facilities are currently provided to pilgrims at a minimum charge.

Ajay further stated that every possible help is being provided by BKTC to the pilgrims stranded in Kedarnath Dham.

BKTC is distributing several quintals of fruits brought by a saint, Swami Sanvidananda, for the special worship of Baba Kedar during the month of Sawan. Along with this, a Bhandara is also being organized in collaboration with Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd (GMVN).

On Thursday, August 1, 15 people lost their lives in a cloudburst and landslides, which damaged the concrete bridge and footbridge along the Kedarnath Yatra route.

Earlier today, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said around 17,000 people have been evacuated from the disaster-affected areas and affirmed that relief and rescue operations are underway.

Dhami further added that efforts are underway to restore bridges, electricity, and telecommunication lines in the area, stating that the rescue operations of the pilgrims are on the verge of completion.

“The work of evacuating the pilgrims is almost complete. About 17,000 people have been evacuated. Our effort is to restore the bridges that have been washed away and restore electricity and telecommunication lines. Our entire administration is working on restoration. Our commissioner will play the role of a nodal officer. The departmental secretary will camp there and keep an eye on the situation,” Dhami said.

As part of the rescue operation, around 400 passengers were sent from Kedarnath to Lincholi, while 110 passengers were sent to the Chaumasi track to reach Chaumasi safely.

Further efforts are being made continuously to rescue the passengers stranded on the Kedarnath Yatra route.

The CEO of the Badarinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Yogendra Singh, said that on the fourth day of the rescue operation, 373 passengers, locals, and laborers stranded in Kedarnath Dham had been sent to Lincholi with the help of the NDRF, SDRF, and other security forces.

At the same time, 570 passengers, locals, and laborers are waiting to be airlifted at the Kedarnath helipad. Food packets, water bottles, and fruits are being provided to all the people in Kedarnath by the District Administration, BKTC, and Tirtha Purohit Samaj.

On the other hand, 110 passengers have been rescued by NDRF and SDRF from the Rambada Chaumasi track and taken to Chaumasi. Security forces on the track continuously provided food packets, water, and medical treatment to the passengers.

So far, more than 534 passengers and locals have been rescued from this route.

Meanwhile, in the last few days, the monsoon fury has triggered multiple flash floods and landslides affecting several states of the country. Over 300 people have lost their lives in massive landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad. 47 people are missing in Himachal Pradesh following natural disasters triggered by heavy rain.