U'khand deluge: Restoration work nears completion

Restoration work in Kedarnath and other pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, which was hit by a massive flash flood in June 2013, is in advance stage and the state government is expecting a record number of tourists this year.
Union Minister Mahesh Sharma today said the Centre is committed to developing religious tourism in Uttarakhand, particularly Kedarnath, as the state administration completes the restoration process of the historic place.
Releasing a magazine, 'Hill Mail', and a documentary film on restoration of Kedarnath, Sharma said "we are working together with the Uttarakhand government to bring back the glory of the historic temple."

Uttarakhand is in advance stage of completion of the restoration work after a massive flash flood hit the hill state in June 2013.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said the state is expecting a record number of tourists this year.
Six helipads are being constructed between Sonprayag and Kedarnath to ensure smooth rescue operations in case of a disaster in future.

A parking facility, which can accommodate 300 cars, is also being built at Sonprayag for tourists.
Rawat said the state is bound by so many restrictions since the disaster took place that these are posing a major hurdle in the way of re-generating income and rehabilitation of victims.

"So many restrictions have been put on us. Everyone is saying don't do this, don't do that... But no one is telling us what needs to be done," the chief minister said.
Rawat said the state government is focusing on generation
of employment and putting it at the core of every policy in order to deal with the post-devastation challenges in Kedarnath shrine.
"We have prepared a comprehensive plan and needs everyone's cooperation in its implementation. We are focusing on employment creation as a major factor of development of the mountains," he said.
Calling for integrated solutions to deal with the problems of the state, Rawat said, "people will have to think from our point of view. We are struggling for things as small as availability of cooking gas."

Uttarakhand government has drafted a master plan for the planned development of Kedarpuri, the area comprising the temple and its surroundings, to ensure that natural calamities do not affect the pilgrimage site in the future.