KATRA, MARCH 7: Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board inspected the ongoing developmental works and other facilities for pilgrims enroute from Katra to Bhawan and directed officials to expedite completion of ongoing works. He was accompanied by Addl. CEO, Dy. CEOs, Superintendent Engineer, CPWD, other concerned engineers and officers of the Shrine Board.
These arrangements interalia included round the clock water and power supply, catering, healthcare facilities, sanitisation, cleanliness and regulation of yatra.
Other high utility pilgrim-centric facilities also reviewed on the track included pace of construction of Durga Bhawan whose foundation stone was laid on 18th August 2021 by Hon’ble Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Noteworthy, that the 5-storey Durga Bhawan will accommodate 4000 pilgrims on completion and have all requisite amenities for the pilgrims, besides having adequate provision for harnessing clean energy, recycling of waste water linking up with existing STPs, provision of elevators etc. The Central Public Works Department is the construction agency for the Durga Bhawan as per a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Shrine Board with CPWD.
The CEO was briefed about the progress of construction work by the Superintendent Engineer, CPWD at site. The CEO while reviewing the to-date status of project impressed upon all the concerned engineers that high priority needs to be laid to ensure speedy implementation of the infrastructure facilities and timely completion of Durga Bhawan so that the pilgrims could take benefit of this facility at the earliest.
He called for making coordinated efforts while executing construction work without any hindrance to the yatra in a planned and holistic manner. It was emphasised that while carrying out the work safety must be ensured.
CEO also took stock of the underground cabling project and exhorted the executing agency to expedite completion of the laying of HT / LT Cables at the remaining stretches on the track on Mission Mode. The underground cabling work from Katra to Bhawan and in the surrounding areas has been allotted to the M/s JSP Projects P. Ltd. by JPDCL (Project Wing), partially funded under the PMDP and by the Shrine Board. This utility project will have a SCADA compliance based monitoring system of the electric network. With the implementation of this project, the existing LT / HT overhead electricity line will be replaced by Underground Cabling to ensure uninterrupted power supply along the track and in the Bhawan Area.
Besides, the CEO also reviewed the operation of Battery Operated Vehicles between Adhkuwari and Bhawan as well as Bhawan-Bhairon Ghati Passenger Ropeway and the security and other aspects of the pilgrimage. In addition, the CEO reviewed the resumption of the token/group number system alongwith installation of Queue Managers for hassle free regulation of yatra to address Risk Management Strategies and to determine the broad approach regarding preparedness for emergent and unforeseen situations. CEO also viewed the holding spots and directed for its development for better crowd management and to avoid congestion at the pinch points.
CEO also took stock of the functioning of hi-tech video walls installed enroute track for the dissemination of real-time information to the pilgrims and directed concerned agency to make good the area where earthing has been done alongwith layout of tiling work.
He reiterated his directions for making maximum use of pilgrim friendly technological interventions to promote protection of the environment and ensuring sanitation and perfect cleanliness in the Shrine area. The CEO also stressed on making the track plastic and polythene free.
He impressed upon all employees to leave no stone unturned to facilitate and provide best quality services to the pilgrims.
