Trans-Himalayan route for trekkers soon

ALMORA: Trekkers can soon avail a 105 km long trans-Himalayan route that has been proposed by the state tourism department in a bid to promote adventure sports. Covering Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Chamoli districts, the new route would offer one of the best views of Trishul and Nanda Devi peaks. Spectacular views of Bedni Bugiyal, Pindari glacier valleys, and Beas and Darba will be some of the other attractions of the trek.
It will begin from Munsiyari and proceed towards Khaliya Top and Namik village in Pithoragarh district and enter Bageshwar district via Gogina and then continue towards Supi, Batritunga, Jhoni village, Pakua top and finally towards Pindari glacier. The route will continue through Baccham, Sorag, Badiyakot, Barakand, Borbara and Himni, before entering Chamoli and ending at Bedini Budgiyal.
Officials said that phase one of the project will involve construction of prefabricated and hybrid huts as rest stops at nine places along the Bageshwar route. Each resting point will have five huts with necessary requirements such as dining halls, toilets, drinking water and so on. While the prefabricated huts will be built and installed at the proposed places, the hybrid ones will be concrete structures.
Rajendra Singh Airy, adventure sports officer, Bageshwar, said, “Some places have already received clearance from authorities to undergo construction work. We are awaiting clearance from the forest department to start work at Bageshwar. A tender has already been given out to a Bangalore-based company for the huts.”
Bageshwar has received funding of Rs 8 crore of which Rs 74 lakh is slated for the route’s preparation and facilities henceforth required. “It would roughly take a year to complete the entire work,” said Airy.
The route will be constructed keeping in mind the necessities and limitations of a tourist. With flexibility to complete the trek in as many as 18 days, the trekkers can begin and end at any pre-decided resting point, said Airy.
Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) are also involved in the construction work. Speaking to TOI, Dhiraj Singh Garbyal, managing director, KMVN, said, “About 145 huts will be erected in 25 places in Kumaon. We have received approval for the project and it should start from the first week of April. The design has already been prepared.”