Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 15: A delegation of Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra, met DC Reasi, Ajay Kumar Sharma, who is also Vice-Chairman of Shiv Khori Shrine Board, in presence of Chairman DDC Reasi Saraf Singh Nag and apprised him of various issues pertaining to Shiv Khori and Vaishnodevi shrines.
The delegation, comprising of the Association President Rakesh Wazir, Sr Vice President Virender Kesar, Members Rajinder Singh Manhas, Mangal Singh and others, requested that the helicopter service between Katra-Shiv Khori and ropeway at Shiv Khori be started on Public-Private partnership basis at the earliest. In addition to a big facility to the pilgrims, it will prove to be a big attraction to the Yatries and will boost the Shiv Khori Yatra in a big way and economy of Union Territory even as no investment of the Government will get involved because total investment will be made by the private investors and investors are ready to invest, the delegation explained.
Rakesh Wazir said that the way the yatra of Shiv Khori has increased from two/three lakhs to 20 lakh in last few years, itself shows that this pilgrim destination has got lot of potential and if its facilities are increased further it could go beyond 50 lakh within few years.
He further demanded that live telecast of the Aarti of Shiv Khori, be re-started at the earliest and process for the same, including calling of the bids from television channels be initiated.
Mr Wazir said that most of the economy of the Union Territory is dependent on the Yatra of Vaishnodevi and the Government should ensure that at no cost no further lock down is imposed on Katra /Vaishnodevi area since 100 percent Covid testing of the pilgrims is done while they enter at Katra/Jammu Railway Stations vis-à-vis at Jammu Airport.
Mr Kesar said that that consolidated development of Katra town and Vaishnodevi ji after studying the models of Chandigarh and other developed cities be made wherein not even a single wire, drain or sewerage channel is visible to the public and development is made in such a way that it attracts every one.
The officers listened to the delegation patiently and assured sympathetic consideration to each of the points including taking up of the things with the concerned.
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