Decision on opening Vaishno Devi soon

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 8

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board will soon take a decision on the opening of the Vaishno Devi shrine for pilgrims and put in place standard operating procedures to keep the coronavirus at bay.

The board, headed by Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu, will hold a meeting through a videoconference to take the decision.

Shrine board sources said since the religious places were opening in some parts of the country, the board would have to soon take a decision on resuming the pilgrimage after studying and analysing the standard operating procedures being adopted elsewhere.

The opening of yatra will send out a positive message and also help in reviving the economy of the Jammu region. The pilgrimage is one of the big sources of economy in Katra and Jammu not only for the hospitality sector but also for those associated with the transport and dry fruit business.

Nearly 90 lakh pilgrims visit the shrine every year. A couple of years ago, the number had crossed 10 million. Devotees make offerings and spend a lot on shopping.