PM CHECKS KEDARNATH RECONSTRUCTION VIA DRONE
Thursday, 26 April 2018 | PNS | Dehradun–
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of reconstruction work done at Kedarnath through a drone camera on Wednesday. Uttarakhand chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh apprised him about progress of reconstruction and development works underway at Kedarnath through video conferencing. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of state government to give a “divine and grand look” to Kedarnath.
The chief secretary showed him through drone imagery that the platform in front of Kedarnath temple has been expanded from 1500 square metres to 4125 square metres, The confluence of Mandakini and Saraswati rivers is 270 metre away from the temple compound. A 12 feet high debris had accumulated at the place after the 2013 deluge which has been excavated and removed. The entire temple complex can be seen without any obstruction from the entry point. The width of the entire entrance route is 50 feet. Work is under progress on drainage and ducts for cables on either side of the entrance. The work is on to construct 470 metre long security wall along Saraswati river a 380 metre long security wall along the Mandakini river.
The 13 residential complexes for 73 Teerth Purohits (priests) are under construction. Besides, 3.5 kilometre long pedestrian route from Garudchatti to Kedarnath has been completed. More than 70 percent work of beautification and widening of Gaurikund-Lincholi route has been completed. The work for drainage and 300 metre long barrier on the eastern side of the temple to protect it from landslide and mudslide has been completed.
Singh further informed that a laser show would be organised as a pilot project for one week from April 28 during evening. A 10-bedded hospital has been established after renovating the old GMVN guest house and arrangements for water, electricity and other basic amenities have been completed, he added.
FORMER CM RAWAT CRITICISES PLANNED LASER SHOW
Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat has criticised the planned laser show, the form of lord Shiva to be depicted in the show and apparent attempts to encourage recreational show at Kedarnath. He stressed that he is not against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Kedarnath on April 29 when the portals of the shrine are to be reopened for the public. However, he said that the programme planned by the Government is questionable. Rawat was also slated to trek to Kedarnath and arrive there on April 29 but has changed his plan in view of the PM’s visit.
He said, “I have nothing against the prime minister’s visit to Kedarnath. However, I strongly object to holding a laser show in Kedarnath because that is a revered centre of faith where such recreational shows should not be held. Such shows could be held in Haridwar, Rishikesh or elsewhere but not in Kedarnath. According to our scriptures, the lord is present in a living form in Badrinath and Kedarnath so there is no need for imagery to depict the lord in Kedarnath.
Secondly, in the planned show, they are depicting the lord in his three-eyed and Nataraja forms associated with destructive aspects whereas in our mountains Shiva is worshipped in his benevolent form as a protector. I had earlier planned to trek to Kedarnath and reach there on April 29. But since the PM is also reaching on that day I have changed my plan.
If I reach Kedarnath on the same day, I am bound to express my protest against the show, which is why I have changed my plan,” he added.
Regarding Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Kedarnath in the past, he said that he had trekked to Kedarnath to pay his obeisance to the lord.
BJP FLAYS FORMER CM FOR PLAYING POLITICS OVER KEDARNATH RECONSTRUCTION
The State BJP president Ajay Bhatt has charged former Chief Minister Harish Rawat for engaging in politics on Kedarnath. Terming former CM as one who is against development of Uttarakhand, Bhatt said that Kedarnath is symbol of religious belief for millions of believers worldwide and Rawat in his frustration is engaging in politics on Kedarnath. Former CM Harish Rawat had objected to laser show and other activities in Kedarnath.
The BJP state president said that it is a matter of great pleasure for the people of the state that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Ministers of many states are coming to the state to have Darshan of Kedarnath. He said that the way PM Modi is working for development of Kedarnath and construction of all weather road shows his belief in Kedarnath and development of the state. Bhatt claimed that the works undertaken by PM are very important for people of the state as they take the state forward on the path of development. Launching a scathing attack on Congress and Harish Rawat, Bhatt said that had they been interested for development of Uttarakhand they would have welcomed the visit of PM. The language used by Rawat and Congress party shows their anti development and Anti Uttarakhand character, he added.
Continuing his diatribe on Rawat, the BJP leader advised him to have introspection on works done during his tenure. He said that the people of the state still remember the large scale corruption in disaster relief works. Bhatt questioned Rawat as to why he brought Rahul Gandhi to Kedarnath. He also blamed Rawat for using funds of disaster relief in holding Kailash Kher show at Kedarnath. Bhatt said that BJP government completed the contractual obligation with Kailash Kher and made the payment to him from different fund other than disaster relief fund. He demanded that Harish Rawat should apologise for his comments and advised that Rawat should not do politics in spiritual journey of Prime Minister.
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