Ongoing excavation work along the banks of the Alaknanda River near the revered Badrinath temple caused a flood-like situation late Monday, triggering fear among devotees. The swift rise in water levels temporarily submerged Brahmakapal and encroached upon the boundaries of Taptkund, both significant sites adjacent to the temple.
Located mere metres from the temple, Taptkund comprises hot sulphur springs cherished for their medicinal properties, where devotees traditionally bathe before their temple visits. Brahmakapal, situated on the Alaknanda’s banks, is where devotees make ancestral offerings, highlighting its cultural and spiritual importance.Eyewitnesses recounted how from 4 pm onwards on Monday, the Alaknanda River surged dramatically, alarming devotees with its powerful currents. Priests at the temple attributed the sudden rise to the ongoing excavation under the Badrinath masterplan, which inadvertently washed away debris deposited along the riverbanks.
Local concerns have been mounting over the impact of construction activities associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Badrinath Adhyaatmik Nagar Master Plan. Bulldozers have been active in the area for three years, leading to substantial debris accumulation along the Alaknanda’s banks, thereby narrowing the river’s natural flow path.Environmentalists have long cautioned against such unplanned construction in ecologically sensitive areas like Badrinath Dham, stressing that activities in the high Himalayas directly influence rivers like the Alaknanda, fed by glaciers. Notably, a disaster management alert was issued on Monday evening by the Chamoli District authorities regarding the rising river levels, although no damage reports have surfaced yet. Concerned stakeholders continue to advocate for thorough environmental assessments before embarking on large-scale projects like the Badrinath spiritual town’s master plan, emphasising the need to understand the region’s river dynamics, geography, and weather patterns.This incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between development and environmental conservation in Uttarakhand’s sacred landscapes, urging authorities to adopt stringent measures to safeguard cultural heritage and natural resources alike.
