Governor visits Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

Inspects major development works in Bhawan area, wayside facilities on upcoming Tarakote Track

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 09: Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board visited the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi along with the First Lady, Mrs. Usha Vohra and prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the State.

He undertook an extensive inspection of the implementation status of the construction of major infrastructure development works in the Bhawan area, particularly the material and the passenger ropeway projects. On his return journey he, along with Mr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer; Dr. M. K. Kumar, Additional Chief Executive Officer; Mr. M. M. Gupta, Chief Engineer of the Shrine Board and other concerned officers and engineers of the Shrine Board undertook a complete inspection of the various facilities under construction for the convenience of the on-foot pilgrims who travel on the upcoming Tarakote Marg.

Travelling on the Tarakote Marg the Governor stopped at various places and gave directions regarding the work to be done for the completion of Bhojanalayas, View Points, Medical Units, Water Points, Toilet Blocks, power supply, sanitation and cleanliness, safety and security arrangements for the pilgrims, construction of shelter sheds and hill slope stabilisation work, installation of wire, mesh fencing, landscaping, greening of the entire area along the track, etc.

It is pertinent to mention that the Tarakote Marg is equipped with all requisite facilities for comfortable and pleasant on-foot movement of pilgrims on a track which has an easy gradient. There are 2 Bhojanalayas, 4 View Points, 15 water points and 7 toilet blocks in the Marg. The entire track is lit with 500 LED lights.  

  Governor directed the CEO to take forward action for the most expeditious completion of shelter sheds, immediately commence slope stabilisation work on the vulnerable locations and take all required advance action for operationalising Bhojanalayas, View Points, Medical Centres and completion of other essential logistics for the facilitation of the pilgrims.  

CEO informed that: work on all the requisite logistics on the upcoming Tarakote Marg is continuing in full swing to complete it expeditiously, work on the foot bridge is also going on speedily besides completion of other works on the Link Road from Gulshan Langar to Tarakote Marg. He stated that the work has also been speeded up on the construction of integrated modular rain shelter sheds having special features to absorb the impact of any shooting stone; for ensuring the safety of pilgrims.

While inspecting the new Darshani Deodi on the Tarakote Marg, Governor asked for drawing up a comprehensive plan for optimum utilisation of all available space to facilitate the pilgrims. At Tarakote, he asked the concerned engineers for beautification of the periphery of the Bhojanalaya by taking up plantation of ornamental, flowering and other species of trees. He also directed the installation of a floating fountain in the Pond at Tarakote which has been developed and beautified by the Shrine Board as an added attraction for the pilgrims. He also viewed the landscaping and greening of the area along the Tarakote Marg which has been done by planting ornamental plants, herbs, flowering and avenue trees with a view to enhance the ambience of the track.

In the Bhawan area, the Governor inspected the site for reconstruction of the Durga Bhawan and asked CEO to immediately get prepared the drawings for construction of this building to provide free on-floor accommodation for pilgrims by maximising the utilisation of available space. He also emphasised the need for speedy finalisation of the Master Plan for the Bhawan area which is being formulated by the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.

While reviewing the work on the construction of Passenger Ropeway between Bhawan and Bhairon Temple and Material Ropeway between Siar Dabri and Bhawan, Governor directed CEO to ensure completion of both these high-utility projects, in all respects, within the fixed timeframe.