PM to visit Badrinath, Kedarnath shrines

By May 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) star campaigner, would have addressed 144 election rallies.

Expectedly, he needs some R&R and Modi will arrive in Uttarakhand on May 18 on a two-day visit during which he will offer prayers at the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, review the Kedarpuri reconstruction project, and maybe spend some time in a meditation cave.

BJP state media unit chief, Devendra Bhasin, confirmed Modi’s visit and plan in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Shri Badrinath-Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee (SBSKTC) chairman, Mohan Prasad Thapaliyal, said Modi is scheduled to offer prayers in Kedarnath on May 18 and Badrinath on May 19.

The SBSKTC chairman, a veteran BJP leader, said Modi will stay at Kedarnath for a day, some part of which he will spend meditating, and fly to Badrinath the following day, after which he will leave for Delhi.

Thapaliyal said this will be Modi’s fourth visit to Kedarnath since he became Prime Minister. “Incidentally, Modi will be visiting Badrinath for the first time since he became the Prime Minister five years ago.”

He added that Modi would review the beautification project at Badrinath shrine on which around ~75 crore is being spent.

Modi laid the foundation stone for the Kedarpuri reconstruction project two years ago.

The move came four years after the cataclysmic floods struck Kedarnath killing about 5,000 people.

“Modi ji has been personally monitoring the Kedarpuri reconstruction project since he laid its foundation stone,” Thapaliyal said.

“About 75% works have been completed and the remaining (works) will be completed within the next six months.”