The latest among the activities of the Governor, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, is of undertaking the important work of stabilizing the slopes at five sites along the track to the shrine that are vulnerable to cause landslides and shooting stones thus endangering pilgrimage up the hill. A comprehensive project to cost 45 crore rupees has been undertaken after good deal of study and survey was done by the prestigious IIT Kanpur and Roorkie The project is being executed in consultation with and under supervision of M/s Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Ltd (THDCIL), an Undertaking of Government of India and UP State. The first phase costing 12 crore rupees will be completed in 21 months. The executing agency for the first phase of the project is a consortium of M/s Geobrugg AG, Switzerland and M/s Pioneer Foundation Engineers, India. These companies are reputed for their expertise and hopefully the project assigned to them will be completed to the entire satisfaction of the Shrine Board.
The purpose of the project is to make uphill journey of pilgrims to the shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi safe and secure. The five sites selected for stabilization of the rocks are usually prone to landslides when there are heavy rains or snowfall. This is a safety measure as stones from the rock often shoot down and can cause serious threat to pilgrims. It is highly satisfying that the Shrine Board authorities are taking all steps to provide safety and security to the millions of pilgrims who come to the shrine round the year. The number of pilgrims has crossed one crore over a year and this is likely to go on increasing year after year. The pilgrims are all feeling happy with the arrangements of transport, lodgment and catering services made available for pilgrimage to the holy shrine.
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