Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: The 61st meeting of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was held here today under the chairmanship of Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shrine Board.
The Board reviewed the to-date status of the construction of Link Road from Gulshan Langar to link with Tarakote Marg and putting in place essential facilities along Tarakote Marg for operationalisation of this track for the comfortable movement of pilgrims who walk to the shrine.
The meeting took stock of the progress made on the construction of passenger sheds, implementation of slope stabilisation work at the vulnerable locations for ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims against landslides and shooting stones.
In this context, the meeting discussed first hand appraisal report of the Board Members who at the request of the Chairman of the Board, had visited Tarakote Marg yesterday to undertake an on-spot assessment of various wayside facilities already put on the ground and those on which the work is progressing, including the construction of Link Road from Gulshan Langar to link with Tarakote Marg.
The Committee of Board Members comprised Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Dr. Ashok Bhan, Mr. H. L. Maini, Mr. Justice (Retd) Permod Kohli and Maj. Gen. (Retd) Shiv Kumar Sharma.
The Board directed the CEO to ensure expeditious completion of shelter sheds, immediately commence slope stabilisation work on the vulnerable locations, take action for operationalising of Bhojanalayas, View Points, Medical Centres and commissioning of other essential logistics like toilet blocks, sanitation and cleanliness, safety and security arrangements of the pilgrims etc. He added that, if need be, additional manpower and resources be mobilised and the work should be fast tracked for its speedy completion.
Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Dr. Ashok Bhan, H. L. Maini, Justice (Retd) Permod Kohli, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Shiv Kumar Sharma and B. B. Vyas, all Board Members; D. C. Raina, Legal Advisor to the Shrine Board (Special Invitee), Jitendra Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Dr. M. K. Kumar and Anshul Garg, Additional CEOs of the Shrine Board, attended the meeting.
In his detailed presentation, CEO informed that the work on all the mandatory activities for operationalization of the Tarakote Marg is continuing to complete it expeditiously. He stated that besides the ongoing work on the completion of 2.1 km Link Road from Gulshan Langar, work is also apace on the erection of aesthetically designed fencing along the river side and other components of the Link Road.
The Board also took several decisions for enlarging the infrastructural facilities in sync with the emerging requirements of the pilgrimage. In a significant decision, the Board approved reconstruction of the Durga Bhawan, in the Bhawan area. The new building will have adequate facilities such as lockers, blankets, toilets, ready to eat snacks and beverages as well as provision of two elevators. This building will be earthquake resistant.
While reviewing the work on the construction of Passenger Ropeway between Bhawan and Bhairon and Material Ropeway between Siar Dabri and Bhawan, Governor directed CEO to ensure completion of both these high-utility projects in all respects within fixed timeframe for benefiting the pilgrims at the earliest.
The Material Ropeway will have a carrying capacity of 5 metric tons per hour and cover a distance of 2.9 km in 14 minutes. The Board also approved construction of allied components of both these Ropeway Projects at the Lower and Upper Terminal Points, including ticketing and flagship system, waiting hall, ramps and passenger lift etc.
Governor emphasised construction of the new facilities strictly in consonance with the Master Plan being formulated by the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.
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