‘Security of Vaishno Devi pilgrims priority of government’
The pilgrims to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine will soon be able to register themselves at Katra Railway Station itself, even as Cottage Policy and Aarti Darshan Policy have also been launched.
These among 46 policy matters on the agenda of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) were approved today, in a meeting of the board chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan.
Sinha directed for all necessary measures for the safety and security of the pilgrims, asking the board CEO to ensure no intertwined movement of the devotees.
“Safety, convenience and ease of the devotees visiting the shrine remains the top priority of the Shrine Board. Keep 24×7 monitoring on pilgrimage through RFID and CCTV cameras”, said the Lt Governor.
All the facilities like lockers, bathing areas etc. should be at the same place in the new bhavans. All aspects should be taken into account for the construction of Passenger Ropeway between Tarakote Langar and Sanjichhat, he added.
The Lt Governor, who is the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, launched various initiatives to provide diverse facilities to the pilgrims and devotees. He also ascertained progress of the work for ease of devotees and laid emphasis on timely completion of all projects.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor launched a Cottage Policy, Aarti Darshan Policy, 1st edition of ‘Panchang Calendar-2023’ of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. He laid the foundation stone of accommodation facilities for Shrine Board’s employees at Adhkuwari & Banganga and launched multiple donation facilities for the pilgrims.
Further, the Board discussed, ratified, gave in principle approvals for a total of 46 agenda items.
The meeting was attended by all members of SMVDSB – Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj; Baleshwar Rai; Ashok Bhan; Kul Bhushan Ahuja; Dr. Neelam Sareen; K K Sharma; Suresh Kumar Sharma (Retd. Judge) and Raghu K Mehta. Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary and Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board were present.
The Board members were also presented with a compliance report on the directions passed for short term and long term measures initiated for yatra regulation and crowd management.
