Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, June 30: A delegation of prominent citizens of Katra today called on Chief Executive Officer SMVD Shrine Board, A K Sahu and apprised him about concerns and doubts with regard to the new track going to be opened from Katra to Bhawan.
The deputation said that keeping in view the employment aspect in mind where more than one lakh people are employed at Katra by one way or the other and sanctity of the Vaishnodevi ji in particular, no vehicular movement should be allowed on new track.
They also highlighted the issue of simplification of the Yatra slips and instead of getting the photographs of the pilgrims enroute to Vaishnodevi ji, each and every person be not called at Yatra slip counter due to which this yatra was decreasing.
The members of Katra Bachao Andolan emphasized that the new track be kept entirely for ponies that too for taking material and for emergency purposes and it may not be allowed to be used for any other purpose.
A K Sahu listened to the delegation patiently and assured that keeping in view the santity of the yatra and employment aspect, the traditional route will be strengthened to provide more comforts to the visiting pilgrims and no passenger vehicular movement even the battery cars/passenger ponies will be allowed on the new track. He further assured that work on joining of new track with Banganga, would be started shortly by making a bridge and likewise the yatries would get simplified yatra registration system very soon.
The deputation comprised of Hotel & Restaurant Association president Shyam Lal Kesar, sr vice president Rakesh Wazir, gen sec Harish Dubey, Virender Kesar, Sunil Sharma, Ajay Baru, Shashi Gupta, Bhupinder Singh, Karan Singh, Sanjeev Sadhotra, Vicky Padha, Sohan Singh, Rajesh Sadhotra, Awtar Krishan Suri and members of Katra Bachao Andolan. Addl CEO, M K Kumar was also present during the meeting.
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