New Delhi:
Nearly a month after the tragedy, the Uttarakhand government is set to officially announce the death of between 5500 and 6000 people on Monday.
In an interview to NDTV, Rakesh Sharma, the Principal Secretary in charge of rescue and relief operations has said, "The majority of deaths took place between Kedarnath and Gaurikund. We know the carrying capacity and the numbers that were there in Kedarnath that day because we have a broad idea from our Circle Officer and SDM. Then we know normally how many people are in Rambara where the maximum deaths took place. Carrying capacity of this area is not what is being talked about. To my mind, the number will not go beyond this."
The state government has also said that an alternate land route for pilgrims into Kedarnath being tried out by the Army is not likely to be feasible.
According to Mr Sharma, "We requested the Army. Similarly, National Institute of Mountaineering is in Uttarkashi. There are two axis (they assessed) and they came back after 3-4 days. Their feedback is that both are very tough. For a common man to use those axis is not going to be feasible."
The government, which will look to cut the number of pilgrims entering the Kedar valley all at once is also examining the possibility of a ropeway between Gaurikund and Kedarnath to the North. But this is a long term plan.
In the meanwhile, the government is likely to limit the number of pilgrims on the route to 2000, down from the eight to ten thousand who frequent the route daily during the Chardham yatra.
In order to control the number of pilgrims on the route, the government will set up an online registration system and stop pilgrims in Rishikesh if the weather becomes bad.