Governor for expeditious completion of Institute of Medical Excellence

Formulate projects for setting up Medical, Nursing College

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 25: Governor N. N. Vohra, today stressed the need to take immediate steps to ensure the expeditious completion of the upcoming Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) to provide quality medical services to general public of the surrounding areas and, in the course of time to the ever increasing number of Yatris to Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji Shrine. He also issued directions for taking forward necessary steps for establishing a Medical College, a Nursing College and a world class Blood Bank in the coming years for the benefit of the society at large.
The Governor asked for putting in place all the required equipment and tying up other arrangements, particularly those which are crucial for the early commissioning of the OPD services at the SMVDIME in the next few months. He also directed immediate action for commencing the construction of residential accommodation for doctors, para-medics and other staff of SMVDIME, adding that, for this purpose, Master Plan be got finalized on priority basis.
The Governor, who is the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, was extensively reviewing, at a meeting held at the Raj Bhavan last evening, the status of various important projects being implemented by the Shrine Board for meeting the requirements of the ever increasing number of pilgrims to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji.
H. L. Maini, Member, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Technical Consultant of the Board, Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vinod Gupta, Medical Superintendent of SMVDIME, Vinay Khajuria, Range Forest Officer, and other concerned officers of the Board participated in the meeting.
Reviewing the security aspects, the Governor directed that the Baggage X-ray machines and the CCTV cameras must remain functional 24×7 and all the required measures must be enforced for effectively ensuring against a stampede or any other avoidable hazard being faced by the pilgrims.
Taking stock of the upgradation of the track from Banganga to Bhawan, the Governor asked the CEO of the Board to ensure immediate improvement of action all the vulnerable stretches of the track install track dividers and retile trook wherever required.
He also stressed for taking all the required steps for addressing the problem of falling stones and cleaning of the track round the clock. Referring to the construction of Dedicated Mule Track from Katra to Adhkwari, he said that the construction of a pony stand, toilet blocks, provision of drinking water supply and other basic requirements must be put in place at the earliest. He also issued instructions to CEO for utilizing the latest technology for manufacturing tiles for relaying the tracks.
Taking a detailed review of the afforestation and beautification programme of the tracks and the adjoining areas, the Governor was briefed that 2.25 lakh plants of forest and flowering species were planted from July 2011 to March 2012 and 1.11 lakh such plants will be planted during the ensuing monsoon season. The Governor asked the Shrine Board Forest Officer to plant such species of trees, flowering plants, creepers and ornamental plants as would beautify the entire area.
So far as the upgradation of existing and construction of new toilet blocks is concerned, the Governor desired that these should be modern structures using the best available technologies to ensure perfect cleanliness. Referring to the recently commissioned Pai Nallah Water Supply Scheme to augment the water availability at Bhawan and Adhkwari, he advised that initiatives must be taken for rainwater harvesting, water recycling and identifying other sources for meeting the long-term water requirements for the Yatra.
The Governor was informed that Helipad near Panchhi View Point and the approach road will be completed by July 2012. The Governor observed that while strictly adhering to the envisaged timeframe for the completion of the Helipad an effort must be made to ensure that this facility is of adequate size for the landing of MI-17 Helicopters to manage any emergent situation in which evacuation may be required.
The Governor also reviewed status of the Material Ropeway Project from Siar Dabri to Bhawan and Passenger Ropeway from Bhawan to Bhairon Temple. He said that an all out effort must be made to start work on these projects at the earliest after procuring all required clearances.
While reviewing the pace of work on the creation of additional accommodation for the pilgrims, the Governor expressed satisfaction at the new initiatives taken in this direction and asked for completion of work on the construction of Ashirwad Complex at Katra, Parvati Bhawan at the main Bhawan, Dormitory Complex at Adhkwari and Kalika Dham at Jammu within the fixed timeframes. He was apprised that Parvati Bhawan will be completed by August and Ashirwad Complex by October this year, while Dormitory Complex at Adhkwari will be completed by March next year and Kalika Dham during the next 24 months.
Other projects which came under review during the meeting included construction of a Stadium at Katra, measures taken for prevention of forest fires, renovation of accommodation in Niharika Complex at Katra and Vaishnavi Dham at Jammu by equipping these with modern facilities and the functioning of the solar water heating system and mule dung based biogas plant.