Kedarnath News: Pushkar Singh Dhami met with senior officials in Rudraprayag to assess the relief and rescue operations on the rain-affected Kedarnath trek route. As per Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Tuesday that helicopter services to Kedarnath will resume on Wednesday, with pilgrims receiving a 25% concession on fares. Dhami met with senior officials in Rudraprayag to review the relief and rescue operations on the rain-damaged Kedarnath trek route.

Kedarnath Yatra Update: Kedarnath News

“The damage is extensive. The route has been breached at 29 locations due to landslides. Water and power supply lines have been affected, and telecommunication lines disrupted,” said the Chief Minister. “An alternative route for pilgrims should be prepared, and new helipads should also be constructed,” he added. “But the collective efforts of the disaster management department, district administration, SDRF, NDRF, the priest community, and public representatives have helped in rescuing such a large number of people,” the minister said. Kedarnath News

Dhami also mentioned that the rescue work is nearly complete, and the entire focus is now on repairing the damaged infrastructure to resume the yatra to the Himalayan temple. “However, the helicopter service to Shri Kedar dham is starting tomorrow. Pilgrims who visit the temple by helicopter will receive a 25% rebate on their tickets,” Dhami told reporters. “However, the helicopter service to Shri Kedar dham is starting tomorrow. Pilgrims who visit the temple by helicopter will receive a 25% discount on their tickets,” Dhami told reporters.

Earlier, the Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit areas and the ruptured portions of the road from Sonprayag to the Shri-Kedarnath shrine. “Road connectivity and pedestrian routes were impaired at 29 locations in the region. Heavy rains also damaged drinking water and power supplies, along with causing massive destruction to public properties,” added the Chief Minister. He instructed officials to take all necessary steps to normalize routine life in the disaster-hit areas and to restore road connectivity, drinking water, and electricity supplies as soon as possible.

It’s notable that cloudbursts and landslides on July 31 between Sonprayag and the Shri-Kedarnath shrine swept away the road at five locations near Lincholi, Rambara, Bhimbali, and Gaurikund, bringing all movement to a halt. The day after, rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), District Disaster Management Department, and District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) were deployed for rescue operations.

Five helicopters, including an Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook and MI-17 flying machines, were used by the rescuers to save nearly 12,000 stranded pilgrims at different locations on Shri-Kedarnath roads since July 31. Of these, more than 7,000 devotees were rescued via alternate rope routes created by the five teams of the SDRF, while the remaining were airlifted to safe locations.