Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Sept 2: A multi-disciplinary team of officers from Rudraprayag district administration, associated with the facilitation of pilgrims visiting the holy shrine of Shri Kedarnath Ji, met Simrandeep Singh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), here today.
The 8-member team of officers, which was on a 5-day study tour to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to understand different aspects of the management of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji pilgrimage, held detailed interaction with Simrandeep Singh with regard to various infrastructural facilities and management practices which are being followed by the Board for facilitation of the pilgrims visiting the Shrine, particularly those related to sanitation and equine management. Dr Jagdish Mehra, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, was also present during the interaction.
During the visit, the team comprising, interalia, Dr SK Jha, Chief Medical Officer, Rudraprayag; Dr Ramesh Singh Nitwal, Chief Veterinary Officer and Harish Chandra Sharma, District Disaster Management Officer took stock of the pilgrims-centric facilities from Katra to Bhawan. These included helicopter services, pony, palki and pithoos, battery operated vehicles, facilities provided at the Medical Units, Passenger Ropeway between Bhawan and Bhairon Ghati, besides visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital and Sports Complex established by the Shrine Board as well as Equid Dung Management Centre at Natali.
It is pertinent to mention here that Shri Kedarnath Ji pilgrimage in Uttarakhand bears close resemblance to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in terms of challenges of terrain, transportation of pilgrims, material etc.