The National Board for Wildlife has given its approval for the ambitious Sonprayag-Kedarnath ropeway project, which aims to reduce the travel time to the temple from eight hours to 25 minutes.
Apart from this, the board has also approved the construction of a 5 km trek route from Rambara to Garudchatti near Kedarnath. From Sonprayag, where the ropeway will start, to Kedarnath, it also takes about eight hours to cover the distance of about 18 km on foot or by mules as there is currently no motorable road.
In view of the increase in the number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath every year, the Uttarakhand government had proposed to establish a ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath some time back. The resolution was passed by the State Wildlife Board in June this year and was transferred to the National Board for Wildlife for its approval.
The 12 km long ropeway project is expected to cost Rs 1,268 crore. The project requires the transfer of 26.43 hectares of forest land to the state government.
According to officials, 22 towers are to be set up for the proposed project, which will have four stations at Gaurikund, Cheerbasa, Lincholi and Kedarnath. On the old track route, 0.983 hectares of forest land will have to be transferred to the state.
Let us tell you that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Badrinath and Kedarnath on October 21 before Diwali. Sources said Modi will offer prayers at the temple and review the ongoing reconstruction projects there.
Sources said that the Prime Minister will first perform puja in Kedarnath and review the ongoing work there. He told that after this he would visit the Badrinath temple and review the projects being run under the Badrinath master plan.
