Asking its officials to avoid spreading rumours, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee today said there is no threat to Badrinath temple and repair and maintenance is a routine process.
“Badrinath temple is safe. Officials should refrain from spreading rumours. Water level of Inderdhara nala (canal) has gone up due to continuous rain, but it is one km away from the temple,” B.D Singh, CEO of the temple committee said.
He said he has written to the irrigation department regarding repair and maintenance work of the temple complex to avoid any kind of risk in future. But he said it was a routine process.
“I have written a letter to irrigation department to do some repair work around the temple. Such letters have been written in the past also. Some repair work is needed on the check dam above the temple and protection blocs near Alaknanda river. It is repairable and there is no need to panic,” he said.
On the other hand, Harish Gaud, the media incharge of the committee, claimed that if the administration does not take steps now, the temple will be in danger.
“The check dam, which had been built to protect the temple from landslides, has been damaged after the recent floods and the cement blocks of ‘snan kunds’ (bathing ghats) near Alaknanda have become weak. It can be a threat (to the temple) in future, if not today,” he said.
Dismissing Gaud’s claim, Ganesh Godiyal, the Chairman of temple committee said there was no threat to Badrinath temple.
The CEO of the committee has also said the security to Badrinath and Kedarnath temples will be enhanced in winter seasons this year.
“Generally, around 20 guards of police and temple committee remain in Kedarnath till heavy snowfall begins. We are planning to increase the number of security forces this year in both the temples,” he said
This time, there will be more base camps during dry avalanche, which is more destructive, the CEO said.
“The dry avalanche prior to snowfall is very destructive.
“Hence, we are planning three-four base camps this year,” he said.