Governor visits Vaishno Devi, reviews facilities for pilgrims

Tribune News Service

Katra, March 28

Governor NN Vohra today visited the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and reviewed facilities for the pilgrims.

He also took stock of various ongoing development works in the shrine area. the Governor inspected the new track from Adhkuwari to Katra which is being built to upgrade infrastructural facilities for meeting emerging requirements of the pilgrimage. Vohra is the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

The Governor also paid obeisance at the shrine on the auspicious occasion of Ramnavami and prayed for peace, harmony and prosperity of the state.

While inspecting the expansion work in the Atka area, he issued instructions for speeding up the pace of the project.

He also urged HL Maini, member and technical consultant of the Shrine Board, to finalise the master plan of the shrine area.

On the status of construction of the Bhairon Ghati Passenger Ropeway, Vohra was informed by the CEO that the execution of civil work on the lower terminal had started and the project was expected to be completed by the end of December.

The construction work of the Trikuta Hills Material Ropeway from Siar Dabri to Bhawan has since been allotted and would take 24 months for completion.

Vohra emphasised the need to ensure completion of both these projects within the envisaged timelines.

On way from Bhawan to Katra, the Governor inspected the widening of an alternate track, construction of shelter sheds and installation of wire mesh fencing from Bhawan to Adhkuwari.

He directed the authorities that these works on the remaining stretches must be completed speedily.

He issued instructions for renovating and upgrading the existing toilet blocks within a definite time frame.

Vohra also inspected the ongoing work of putting in place various wayside facilities on the new track.

These works include construction of toilet blocks and view points, water and power supply, construction of drains, retaining and breast walls and installation of wire mesh fencing along the track.

He told the CEO that, if required, additional manpower and logistics needed to be mobilised to complete all the wayside facilities on this new track at the earliest as the track, meant for the movement of on-foot pilgrims, shall help in decongesting the existing track between Katra and Adhkuwari.

He also took stock of the Rs 45-crore project being executed by the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation for securing the stabilisation of the mountain slopes and for ensuring against falling stones and landslides on the track.

He asked the CEO to take immediate measures to see that work was also started for the treatment of other identified vulnerable sites. In the first phase, work has been taken up for the treatment of five most vulnerable sites between Katra and the shrine.

The Governor also reviewed the state-of-the-art audio system along the track from Ban Ganga to Bhawan.

The CEO informed the Governor that optical fibre cable had already been laid on a large portion of the track and speakers had also been installed and made operational between Adhkuwari and Bhawan.

He added that this facility should also be used to provide linkage for the functioning of several important services, particularly CCTV, LAN and EPABX, and for making public announcements in the event of any emergency.