Kedarnath Yatra Gets Major Boost: 7km Tunnel & Ropeway to Enhance Safety, Cut Travel Time

• Central government plans a new 7 km twin-tube tunnel connecting Chamasi to Sonprayag, aiming to ease Kedarnath Yatra.
• The tunnel, along with a separate pedestrian path and road widening of NH-107 in Kalimath Valley, will improve connectivity and safety.
• Project driven by rapidly increasing pilgrim numbers, projected to reach 4 million by 2040, necessitating infrastructure upgrades.
• Detailed geological and hydrological studies will precede construction, learning from the Silkyara tunnel accident for enhanced safety.
• The 12.9 km Sonprayag-Kedarnath ropeway by Adani Enterprises, operational by 2031-32, will further transform the pilgrimage experience.

Why It Matters: New 7km tunnel and ropeway projects will significantly enhance safety, reduce travel time, and manage growing pilgrim numbers for Kedarnath Yatra.