Toiletsupgraded on Vaishno Devi tracks

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 13

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has completed the renovation and upgrade of all 36 toilet blocks along the tracks, between Katra to Bhawan, to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The blocks have been upgraded at a cost of about Rs 3.5 crore.

The renovation and upgrade of the toilet blocks are part of the shrine board’s continuing efforts for enlarging and upgrading facilities for the pilgrims by adopting latest eco-friendly technologies on the directions of Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the shrine board.

A shrine board spokesperson said a phased programme was being implemented for the renovation and technological upgrade of all toilet blocks located along the tracks from Katra to Bhawan for enhanced sanitation and high level of cleanliness in the shrine area.

Some of the upgraded toilet blocks have also been equipped with western-style seats to meet the requirements of senior citizens and differently abled persons.

For the first time, in line with the Board’s multifarious environment-friendly measures, bio-sanitation products based on a consortium of different microbes and plant extracts have been introduced to replace chemical-based reagents for cleaning the toilets.

Continuing with the initiative to add newer facilities for the pilgrims, a new four-storeyed earthquake-resistant toilet block with modern facilities is under construction at Adhkuwari.

With a built-up area of 8,760 sq ft, the toilet block is estimated to cost Rs 1.67 crore and will become functional by Navratras. It will have an elevator and covered sitting area on the rooftop.

All seven toilet blocks on the recently inaugurated Tarakote Marg have also been specially equipped to cater to all segments of pilgrims, including senior citizens and differently abled persons.

Meanwhile, in an effort to conserve water and to reduce water usage for flushing the toilets, all 324 urinals installed along the tracks, in the Bhawan area and in other establishments of the board have been converted into waterless urinals by switching over to the “Flush Me Not” programme.

As a result, every urinal at an average is saving 10,000 to 12,500 litres of water per month, thereby saving nearly 4 crore litres of water per annum. This cost-effective technology, besides saving water also saves expenditure on chemical disinfectants by using eco-friendly cleaning products.

It does not require any special expertise and is being handled by the local sanitation staff with basic training. This technology has resulted in improved hygiene in and around the urinals and is being widely appreciated.