Around 260 workers worked day and night to repair the path and reopen it for pilgrims. File | Image credit: PTI
The trekking route to Kedarnath, which was severely damaged by landslides triggered by heavy rains on the night of July 31, has been repaired and reopened to pilgrims after a 15-day closure.
The 19-kilometer-long stretch, which was blocked by landslide debris in 29 places, was restored on Friday (August 16, 2024), officials said.
“About 260 workers have been working day and night to restore the path and reopen it to pilgrims,” they said.
“The route has now been repaired except for a few places where security personnel help pilgrims cross the road,” they added.
A series of landslides occurred along the route after heavy rains hit the area on July 31, stranding thousands of pilgrims.
With the help of the Indian Air Force and private helicopters, over 11,000 pilgrims stranded at places along the route, including Bhimbali and Lincholi, were brought to safety by the SDRF, NDRF and police in a rescue operation lasting nearly a week.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally supervised the entire rescue operation and visited the rain-affected areas of Rudraprayag district several times during the operation.
