Movement banned on under-construction Bheembali-Kedarnath route

Dehradun: The Rudraprayag district administration on Friday banned the movement of pilgrims and local residents on the under-construction Bheembali-Garud Chatti-Kedarnath route after purported videos of tourists using the incomplete track were widely shared on social media. Officials said the route remains unsafe as construction work is still underway.Rudraprayag DM Vishal Mishra said, “Continuous stonefall in hilly areas, slope slips and other natural hazards persist, due to which an accident can occur at any time.” He added that local traders, tent operators and other stakeholders had repeatedly raised safety concerns and demanded a ban on movement along the route.The route, which is 1.8-metre-wide, is the traditional path to Kedarnath that was used before the 2013 flash floods devastated the area. Since then, the 5 metres wide Lincholi route has served as the designated trekking path.Officials said the police department and the District Disaster Management Authority will coordinate to ensure that no pilgrim uses the under-construction route. Directions have also been issued to inform pilgrims about the designated route and advise them to travel only on approved and safe paths.