Dehradun, July 15, 2013: A State-Level Kedarnath Vikas Committee has been established for the development of the flood ravaged Kedarnath region, including the famous Kedarnath temple.

The 108-member committee, headed by Kedaranath Raval Jagadguru Bhimashankar Linga Shivacharya Mahaswami of Kedara Peetha, would chalk out a plan to renovate and restore the buildings affected by the floods.

The first task of the committee is to construct a Yatri Nivas at Rishikesh for pilgrims to rest. The committee aims to renovate the Kedarnath temple and regulate the flow of pilgrims.

The seer, who addressed a press conference, said that all encroachments and illegal structures along river valleys should be removed. He urged the government to regulate construction of buildings in order to maintain the fragile ecological balance.

The panel members on Sunday raised Rs. 51 lakh to improve Kedarnath.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 15, 2013.