2nd phase of restoration works at Kedarnath begins: Rawat

Inhabitable buildings identified close to the shrine will be razed to the ground with the help of locals and a plan is being worked out to introduce a solid drainage system at the high altitude shrine, Rawat said.

In the third phase, the steep slopes will be made gentler and Talli and Malli Linchauli will be developed as an alternative to Rambara, the famous stopover destination en route to the shrine which was washed away in the deluge.

A marketplace for the locals will also be set up there, he said, adding that more chopper services up to Linchauli will be introduced and ropeways and cable cars will ferry devotees to Kedarnath.

Rawat commended efforts put in by different agencies amid odds like vagaries of the weather to ensure timely resumption of the Chardham yatra in May this year after their six-month winter closure.

He said adding reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in affected areas will cost an additional assistance of Rs eight thousand crore from the Centre.