PARITOSH KIMOTHI | Dehradun
About a month after the portals of Kedarnath Dham were reopened for devotees on May 2, the pilgrimage has generated business amounting to Rs 200 crore. Taxi operators, horse-mule operators, hoteliers and others in various trades have earned considerably during this one-month period, while the government has also earned noticeable revenue from the facilities provided to pilgrims, according to official sources.
As on Sunday, more than seven lakh people had visited Kedarnath this year. During the past one month, an average of 24,000 people have been visiting this shrine daily.
Kedarnath is reached after a 20-kilometre trek, which is covered by many on ponies. In addition to the less able and aged pilgrims, others too who are unable to walk the long distance in the mountainous region hire ponies to reach the shrine. Chief veterinary officer Dr Ashish Rawat said that till May 31, a total of 1,39,444 pilgrims rode on horses-mules to reach Kedarnath. This resulted in a business of more than Rs 40.50 crore. The operation of the ponies was affected for a few days due to equine influenza this year though the facility is operating properly now.
Apart from covering the distance on foot or on ponies, some reach Kedarnath by helicopter. Apart from ferrying the pilgrims, the helicopter service is also important for medical cases with an average of two to three medical emergency cases being rescued by helicopter daily from Kedarnath. District tourism officer and helicopter service nodal officer Rahul Chaubey said that eight companies are operating helicopter services to Kedarnath this year. Till May 31, a total of 33,000 pilgrims had travelled to Kedarnath by chopper which resulted in an income of about Rs 35 crore. Chaubey appealed to pilgrims to book helicopter tickets only through the official IRCTC website.
Another mode of travelling to and from Kedarnath is Danda-Kandi (palanquins and mounted seats). The aged and those unable to walk the long distance resort to Dandi-Kandi which are also preferred by some to carry their children while some also use these to transport luggage. Rudraprayag district Panchayat additional chief officer Sanjay Kumar said that more than 7,000 Dandi-Kandi operators are registered on the Kedarnath route this year. As on May 31, a total of 29,275 pilgrims had used these, resulting in business amounting to Rs 1.16 crore. Apart from this, the district Panchayat also issues challans amounting to Rs 2,26,000 to various establishments found littering and violating other rules.
Taxis play a vital role in the pilgrimage with 225 vehicles registered for the shuttle service between Sonprayag and Gaurikund. Rudraprayag assistant transport officer Kulwant Singh Chauhan said that more than seven lakh pilgrims have visited Kedarnath so far with each paying Rs 50 for the trip to Sonprayag to Gaurikund and the same fare to return. The taxi operators have earned about Rs seven crore so far.
The important aspect of accommodation in Kedarnath is handled by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and local businesses while there are various hotels, tents and lodges on the route to the pilgrimage centre with 350 establishments at Gaurikund along which offer boarding and lodging. With an average of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 being charged for meals and accommodation for a day, the hotels and restaurants have done business amounting to Rs 100 crore so far, officials said. GMVN regional manager Girivar Rawat said that the corporation’s 15 establishmentd on the Kedarnath route have generated a revenue of Rs 3.80 crore in one month.
