Pilgrims will be able to visit Kedarnath temple via helicopter from August 7: CM Dhami

Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) [India], August 6 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said that pilgrims will be able to visit the Kedarnath temple via helicopter from Wednesday, August 7.
"Heli Seva of Kedarnath Dham will begin tomorrow and the passengers will get a 25 per cent discount for the same," he said.
While giving details about the rescue operation he said the operation is now over and now our focus is to restore the road and other connectivity he added that alternate routes will be created for the people.
Many pilgrims and tourists were stranded on the Sonprayag-Kedarnath road as heavy rains lashed the state.
"The disaster has caused a lot of loss of life and property in the state. Road connectivity has been disrupted at 29 places and landslides have taken place too. District Administration, NDRF, SDRF, local police and other people have come out to help us recover from this situation. The rescue operation is now over. Our focus is to restore the road and other connectivity. We will make some new helipads too. Alternate routes will be created for the people," he said.
"I want to thank PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah for helping us in these difficult times," Dhami said.
Earlier today, Chief Minister Dhami Dehradun conducted an aerial survey of the areas affected by heavy rains/disasters in Rudraprayag district and a ground inspection of the areas affected by heavy rains/disasters in Sonprayag.
"During this time, I also took detailed information about the work being done to repair the roads and bridges damaged by the disaster. Our government is working rapidly to make the Shri Kedarnath Yatra route operational as before as soon as possible," the CM posted on X.
The Kedarnath temple is one of the most revered temples in the country dedicated to Lord Shiva and people from across the country visit the temple during the six months when the temple is open. Every year, thousands of devotees visit Kedarnath to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. (ANI)