Governor inspects newly constructed Aastha Bhawan at Katra

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 24: To add additional facilities for meeting the arising accommodation requirements, both for pilgrims and functionaries, Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has been laying high priority on the speedy enlargement of the existing infrastructure.

Towards this objective, the Governor accompanied by Mr. B. B. Vyas, Board Member and Chief Secretary; Mr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board; Mr. Prasanna Ramaswamy G, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi; Dr. M. K. Kumar, Additional CEO of the Board; and Mr. Tahir Bhat, SSP Reasi; inspected the newly constructed Aastha Bhawan near the Shrine Board’s Sports Complex at Katra.

This 4-storey complex, with a built up area of 34,920 sft, has been constructed by the Civil Engineering Wing of the Shrine Board at a cost of Rs. 9.10 crore. The complex comprises 16 sets, four on each floor, with all required facilities. It has two elevators with a capacity of 8 persons each and two stair cases. In addition, the building is also equipped with Solar Water Heating System of 8000 LPD capacity. Adequate arrangements have been made for rain water harvesting. Besides landscaping of the premises, provision has been made for parking of 30 vehicles.

The Governor went around the building, inspected the facilities and directed the CEO of the Board to urgently draw up an allotment plan of this Bhavan, after seeking guidance from Sh. Vyas, Board Member. He emphasized the need for ensuring regular maintenance of this newly created facility.

Among those present on the occasion were officers of Civil Administration and Shrine Board besides the concerned engineers of the Civil Wing of the Shrine Board.