Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: A delegation of Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra, led by its president Rakesh Wazir, called on the new Chief Executive Officer Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Dheeraj Gupta and suggested a series of steps for better management of the Yatra and for providing best services to the pilgrims.
Wazir stressed for proper cleaning of Vaishnodevi tracks on 24 hour basis as was done previously also few years back, reservation of 25 percent of seats for senior citizen, handicapped and cancer patients in Helicopter tickets, free Langer for Yatries at Bhawan, Kar Sewa on the pattern of Darbar Sahib, self washing foot points before entering cave, starting of light and sound at Katra, Ropeway from Katra to Shanker Acharya and early completion of Shankeracharya temple. He also suggested revival of old traditional route of Vaishnodevi ji through Deva Mai, providing of space for amusement park which will be developed by J&K Bank, liberal film shootings policy for films, TV serials etc, publicity through festivals like Navratra Festival in a big way, making of beautiful Ghat at Banganga, publicising and developing places of pilgrim interest around Katra like Shiv Khori, Nau Devian, Dhansar etc., advance health care facility at Bhawan, Sanji Shatt and Katra, and proper waiting number for helicopter tickets on the pattern of IRCTC tickets.
Wazir stressed that when Katra has been declared to be an iconic city, its planning and spending of money should also be done in such a way that it could become an iconic place in reality as well. He pointed out that recent stagnant or downward trend in Vaishnodevi yatra was very alarming and all out efforts are required to be made to increase the facilities, infrastructure besides adopting long term strategy for attracting more pilgrims.
Dheeraj Gupta patiently listened to the delegation and assured that sympathetic consideration would be made to each and every point referred in the discussion.
Wazir was accompanied by Shyam Lal Kesar, Virender Kesar, Ajay Kotwal, Nishant Sharma, Sumit Khajuria, Vivek Sharma, Amit Rahi and others.
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