Heritage & Community Development Initiative

Rebuilding Kedarnath With Resilience, Safety And Respect For Heritage

Following the devastating floods of 2013, ONGC Foundation partnered with the Shri Kedarnath Utthan Charitable Trust to support the restoration of essential infrastructure at one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations. The initiative is helping improve safety, accessibility and public facilities while preserving Kedarnath’s spiritual and cultural significance.

Background

Strengthening recovery after the 2013 floods

Kedarnath suffered extensive damage during the 2013 floods, affecting infrastructure, public spaces and facilities used by pilgrims and local communities. The redevelopment initiative was undertaken to support recovery, rebuild essential infrastructure and strengthen long-term resilience in the pilgrimage area.

2013 Flood disaster that caused extensive damage in Kedarnath
5 Core infrastructure interventions under the redevelopment scope
4 Key beneficiary groups identified in the project
1 Integrated restoration initiative supporting recovery and resilience
Scope of Work

Improving safety, accessibility and essential public facilities

The redevelopment covers key infrastructure and public amenities needed to improve movement, comfort and resilience across the pilgrimage area.

01

Covered Queue Management Areas

Development of covered waiting and queue-management areas with rain protection for pilgrims.

02

Retaining Walls

Construction of retaining walls along Mandakini Asthapath to strengthen safety and resilience.

03

Pathways & Public Spaces

Redevelopment of pathways and public spaces between Mandakini Edge and Temple Street.

04

Water ATMs

Installation of Water ATMs to provide clean and safe drinking water.

05

Sustainable Infrastructure

Infrastructure development that respects local culture and the surrounding environment.

Beneficiaries & Impact

Supporting pilgrims, local communities and a more resilient Kedarnath

The redevelopment supports people who depend on Kedarnath as a pilgrimage destination, a place of livelihood and an important cultural landscape.

Pilgrims: improved safety, comfort, accessibility and public facilities for annual visitors.
Local residents & businesses: stronger infrastructure supporting local activity and sustainable tourism.
Disaster-affected communities: strengthened recovery and long-term community resilience.
Elderly, women & differently abled visitors: improved accessibility and safer movement through upgraded public infrastructure.
Heritage & environment: preservation of Kedarnath’s spiritual and cultural significance through sensitive redevelopment.
Long-term Resilience

Restoring Kedarnath while protecting its cultural identity

The project contributes to disaster recovery, safer pilgrimage infrastructure, improved access to clean drinking water, preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage, and support for sustainable tourism and local development.

SDG Aligned

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being SDG 3

Good Health and Well-being

SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation SDG 6

Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SDG 9

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities SDG 10

Reduced Inequalities

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 11

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Heritage & Community Development Initiative

Rebuilding Kedarnath with resilience, safety and respect for heritage

Following the devastating floods of 2013, ONGC Foundation partnered with the Shri Kedarnath Utthan Charitable Trust to support the restoration of essential infrastructure at one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations. The initiative is helping improve safety, accessibility and public facilities while preserving Kedarnath’s spiritual and cultural significance.

Background

Strengthening recovery after the 2013 floods

Kedarnath suffered extensive damage during the 2013 floods, affecting infrastructure, public spaces and facilities used by pilgrims and local communities. The redevelopment initiative was undertaken to support recovery, rebuild essential infrastructure and strengthen long-term resilience in the pilgrimage area.

2013 Flood disaster that caused extensive damage in Kedarnath
5 Core infrastructure interventions under the redevelopment scope
4 Key beneficiary groups identified in the project
1 Integrated restoration initiative supporting recovery and resilience
Scope of Work

Improving safety, accessibility and essential public facilities

The redevelopment covers key infrastructure and public amenities needed to improve movement, comfort and resilience across the pilgrimage area.

01

Covered Queue Management Areas

Development of covered waiting and queue-management areas with rain protection for pilgrims.

02

Retaining Walls

Construction of retaining walls along Mandakini Asthapath to strengthen safety and resilience.

03

Pathways & Public Spaces

Redevelopment of pathways and public spaces between Mandakini Edge and Temple Street.

04

Water ATMs

Installation of Water ATMs to provide clean and safe drinking water.

05

Sustainable Infrastructure

Infrastructure development that respects local culture and the surrounding environment.

Beneficiaries & Impact

Supporting pilgrims, local communities and a more resilient Kedarnath

The redevelopment supports people who depend on Kedarnath as a pilgrimage destination, a place of livelihood and an important cultural landscape.

Pilgrims: improved safety, comfort, accessibility and public facilities for annual visitors.
Local residents & businesses: stronger infrastructure supporting local activity and sustainable tourism.
Disaster-affected communities: strengthened recovery and long-term community resilience.
Elderly, women & differently abled visitors: improved accessibility and safer movement through upgraded public infrastructure.
Heritage & environment: preservation of Kedarnath’s spiritual and cultural significance through sensitive redevelopment.
Long-term Resilience

Restoring Kedarnath while protecting its cultural identity

The project contributes to disaster recovery, safer pilgrimage infrastructure, improved access to clean drinking water, preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage, and support for sustainable tourism and local development.

SDG Aligned

Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

Through safer public infrastructure, clean drinking water, improved accessibility, heritage-sensitive redevelopment and stronger community resilience, the Kedarnath initiative contributes to key Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being SDG 3

Good Health and Well-being

SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation SDG 6

Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SDG 9

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities SDG 10

Reduced Inequalities

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 11

Sustainable Cities and Communities