New Delhi, December 10, 2013: The Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch has said that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has prepared a detailed report and estimate for conservation of Kedarnath Temple but change of course of the Mandakini river around this unprotected monument has not been suggested. The report received from Geological Survey of India in this regard has been sent to State Govt. of Uttarakhand. The estimated cost worked out for conservation and preservation of Kedarnath Temple by ASI is Rs. 3.65 crores.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Katoch said, a team of experts has been constituted by the ASI for conservation of Kedarnath Temple. The conservation work of the temple was started in the month of October, 2013 which at present is suspended due to harsh weather conditions at site and closure of the temple. Due to limited working season, lack of proper land route approach and extreme weather conditions it is difficult to fix up an exact time frame.