Dehradun (Uttarakhand), March 16: BJP MLA Asha Nautiyal from Kedarnath assembly constituency has raised concerns over issues raised during a recent meeting on the management of the Kedarnath Yatra. The meeting, which focused on improving the pilgrimage experience, saw the public highlighting certain incidents that had previously gone unnoticed.
Nautiyal expressed her agreement with the concerns raised and emphasized the need for stricter measures. She stated, “There was a meeting held recently regarding the Yatra management at Kedarnath. Some people raised an issue that certain incidents take place which go unnoticed. I also agree that if some individuals are involved in activities that could tarnish the image of Kedarnath Dham, then their entry should be banned.”
The MLA further alleged that these disruptive individuals are “non-Hindus” who are involved in activities meant to defame the sanctity of the Kedarnath temple. “They are definitely non-Hindus who come there and are involved in activities which defame the Dham. We need to look into it because if such an issue has been raised, then there must be something to it,” she added, calling for immediate action to protect the temple’s image.
In line with enhancing the pilgrimage experience, earlier reports confirmed the Union Cabinet’s approval for two ambitious ropeway projects in Uttarakhand, aimed at boosting the state’s tourism infrastructure. One of these projects, the 12.9 km ropeway at Kedarnath, is designed to ease access for visitors, offering a seamless journey from Sonprayag to Kedarnath. With an investment of Rs 4,081.28 crore, the project will utilize the advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, with a capacity to carry 1,800 passengers per hour, potentially serving up to 18,000 passengers daily. This project is expected to be developed under a public-private partnership model, further contributing to the region’s tourism growth.