Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 6: In a major bid to meet security concerns and keep full data of pilgrims visiting the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) authorities have introduced photograph based `Yatra Access Card’ (YAC) for the yatris, which would keep record of all the yatris visiting the shrine.
‘The `YAC’ has been launched on trial basis from today and with opening of more counters by a Tirupati based company, which has been assigned the task of preparing the cards, it would be made mandatory for all the yatris visiting the shrine.
SMVDSB Additional CEO Dr Mandeep K Bhandari told the Excelsior that within the next few days, most likely after the Navratras, there would be enough counters (nearly 70) to prepare the YACs for all pilgrims visiting the holy cave shrine. It would take 10 to 15 seconds to prepare one card, he said.
The counters would be opened at Saraswati Dham and Vaishnavi Dham at Railway Station, Jammu Airport, General Bus Stand, helipad and Katra, the base camp of the shrine. Majority of counters would be opened at Katra, Mr Bhandari said, adding at present four counters have been opened in the holy town on trial basis.
Today, about 1500 pilgrims were issued Yatra Access Cards in Katra from four counters.
The YACs, which would be prepared by M/s Trilok Security Systems Pvt Ltd, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, would address security concerns as well as help in yatra management by keeping update of pilgrims at Katra, Ban Ganga to Adh-Kunwari, Adh-Kunwari to Sanji Chat, Sanji Chat to Mata Vaishno Devi ji Bhawan, alternate track from Adh-Kunwari to Bhawan and Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati etc.
“The computerized systems would be installed at all major places on the track including Ban Ganga, Adh-Kunwari, Sanji Chat, Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, Bhairon Ghati and Adh-Kunwari alternate track. The feeding of YACs at these stations would give the Shrine Board up to date record of number of pilgrims at different points including from one place to another,” Dr Bhandari said, adding that this would help in better management of the pilgrimage.
Official sources said in case of any natural calamity, the SMVDSB authorities would be in a position to have accurate number of pilgrims at all the places along the track including between one major point to another along with their full particulars like name, addresses and photographs.
Moreover, sources said, the new system of Yatra Access Cards would also address security concerns as no person would be able to undertake pilgrimage on the Card of any other person.
“Presently, the SMVDSB authorities had been registering a complete group of four pilgrims on one name like Rakesh Sharma+3. However, under the new system, all four pilgrims would be registered on their names and issued Access Cards before undertaking the pilgrimage. The Card obtained from any of the centres like Railway Station, Airport, Bus Stand etc would be valid for the yatra,” sources said.
They added that the new system would also give the Shrine Board accurate figures of the pilgrims visiting holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji located at Trikuta Hills at Katra in Reasi district at a height of 5200 feet from the sea level.
Earlier, there had been reports that some locals including hotel staff used to keep yatra slips with them for giving them to the pilgrims if yatra was stopped due to heavy rush. However, now the pilgrims have to be photographed at the counter before being issued the Card for undertaking the journey, which would avoid misuse of yatra slips.
The only cause of worry in the new system was the consumption of time in preparing the YACs as the pilgrims had to give their particulars and then photographed before being issued the Access Cards. Moreover, all members of a group would have to stand in the queue to obtain the Cards. Earlier, only one member of the group could take the yatra slip.
The Shrine Board authorities were of the view that they would open sufficient number of counters for issuing the Cards, which would save the timing. Further, the Agency implementing the new system has assured the Board authorities that it would take 10 to 15 second in issuing one Card.
The Cards would be issued free of cost like the yatra slips, sources said.
They pointed out that the Agency has successfully implemented the similar system at Shri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh.
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