Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s efforts to re-build Kedarnath has led to a record number of pilgrims visit the shrine this year and the target of a total 10 lakh pilgrims in 2018 spelt out by the PM could be breached by October, say temple authorities.NP Jamloki, the Publicity Officer of Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temples Committee told ET that nearly 7 lakh pilgrims have visited Kedarnath and over 8 lakh have visited Badrinath so far this year. “Never before have so many pilgrims come to Kedarnath. We expect 10 lakh pilgrims here by the time the temple closes for this year in end of October. The attention that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought to Kedarnath post the 2013 floods has increased the faith of people in the shrine,” Jamloki told ET from Kedranath.He said the Prime Minister was also expected to visit Kedarnath before the temple closes for the year in the end of October. The highest-ever number of pilgrims that visited Kedarnath was 5.83 lakh in 2012 before dropping to just 40,832 in 2014 after the floods in 2013.The roads to Kedarnath and Badrinath have been blocked for some days now due to incessant rain but Jamloki said weather was expected to clear up from next week and heavy bookings have been reported for both shrines over the next two months. “Lots of improvements have been done at Kedarnath over the last two years – like the pedestrian path being widened to almost 50 feet at many places, facilities of lodging and boarding and refreshments on the way to the shrine. All this has been closely monitored by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister,” Jamloki said. Modi had last visited Kedarnath on October 20 last year ahead of the shrine closing in 2017. “Pilgrim numbers decreased after the 2013 tragedy as people were skeptical if proper infrastructure existed here. Over 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath this year. Next year it will at least be 10 lakh. My visit has sent this message,” the PM said in Kedarnath then.