Chief Secretary reviews development of religious sites under Centre’s scheme

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a meeting of the Tourism Department to take stock of the completion of projects taken up under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme in the Union Territory and also reviewed the facilities being extended at Shiv Khori shrine ahead of the Mahashivratri festival.

The Chief Secretary took note of the progress made on projects taken up at the religious sites under the PRASHAD scheme. He also enquired about the projects that had been submitted to Ministry of Tourism, GoI, for augmenting infrastructure at other religiously and culturally significant places across the UT.

Dulloo stressed upon the officials concerned to execute the projects on ground and their early completion keeping in view their importance for bringing ease to the visitors. He also directed for early submission of plans for other eligible sites for their comprehensive development too.

He enjoined upon the Tourism, Culture and Public Works Departments to identify works and execute them considering their religious and cultural significance. He called for preserving their aesthetic appeal, local art and architecture.

The Chief Secretary further asked for identification of additional sites in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions on the basis of tourist footfall there. He stressed on framing comprehensive plans as per the set format so that these too are developed on modern lines.

In her presentation, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Yasha Mudgal informed the meeting that the projects for development of Utterbehni, Purmandal and Katra are in pipeline. She revealed that the plan for Katra includes Rs 44.52 crore with main components of multilevel car parking, facade improvement of fawara chowk, walkway development to Darshan Deodi, construction of public toilets and other illumination and beautification works.

The scope of works for development of Utterbehni and Purmandal were given as construction of steel suspension foot-bridge, 3D mural paintings, landscaping/vertical garden, multi-facility complex at Purmandal, development of riverfront, facade lighting, sewerage treatment besides protection and other beautification works.

Other projects submitted to GoI for approval includes development of Ganga Ghat at Choti Ganga river near Thanda Pani Bridge, and development of pilgrim circuit at Udhampur district at the cost of Rs 13.47 crore.

It also includes development of Hari Parbat Fort, Kheer Bhawani Temple, Baba Shukr-ud-din Shrine at Watlab (Sopore), Baba Lal Sahib Shrine Kupwara, religious circuit in Poonch district, development of Kailash Kund and other shrines at Baderwah township.

Regarding the development of Shiv Khori cave shrine, the Chief Secretary directed for extending all facilities for smooth conduct of upcoming Mahashivratri festival to be celebrated on February 25-27 here.

Reasi Deputy Commissioner Nidhi Malik gave account of the activities traditionally conducted here on this festival. She also gave insights about the development of helipad at Katra and Shiv Khori shrine.

It was added that in order to enhance the security of pilgrims, CCTV cameras had been installed around the temple shrine with deployment of more security personnel. It was further disclosed that the pilgrim count has taken a major leap with just around 50,000 pilgrims in 2008 to more than 20 lakh in 2023. The cave shrine attracts lots of devotees on the occasion of Mahashivratri festival.