Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 12: N. C. Goyal, Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozepur Division, Northern Railway, called on N. N. Vohra, Governor at Raj Bhavan here this evening.
During the meeting, the Governor emphasized the urgent importance of timely putting in place all the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage related facilities at the Katra Railway Station well before the Udhampur-Katra section of the Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Baramulla Rail Link Project becomes operational around March 2013.
Observing that, on an estimate, around 75-80 lakh Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims would be de-boarding at the Katra Railway Station from next year, the Governor, who is Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, stressed the vital requirement of effective cooperation between the Railways and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, to facilitate the pilgrims and all other commuters to and from Katra Railway Station.
The Governor observed that the Shrine Board would need to establish all the required facilities at the Railway Station, including Information and Enquiry Counters and Registration facilities. It would also be necessary to assess the requirements of Waiting Halls, Eateries, Bath, Latrine, Locker etc facilities, in close consultation with the Railways.
Mr. Goyal informed the Governor about the facilities which the Northern Railway is planning to provide at the Katra Railway Station and assured all required support to the Shrine Board for putting in place pilgrim-centric facilities at the Railway Station, while ensuring pro-active cooperation between the Railways and the Shrine Board.
After discussions it was agreed that Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, who also participated in the meeting, would have further discussions with the Railways at Katra on September 30. It was agreed in principle to explore the possibility of a pilgrim traveling by Railway being automatically registered for the Yatra, on a given date, so that his Railway ticket is virtually becomes his Yatra Permit.
Mr. Goyal also briefed the Governor about the various time bound steps taken by the Northern Railway to reduce congestion at the Jammu Railway Station, improve cleanliness, enable advance bookings without passengers being exploited by touts etc. The Governor was also informed about the large spaces at the Railway Station which continued to be retained by the State Transport Corporation, General Railway Police and other authorities which required urgent rationalization.
The Chief Executive Officer informed Mr. Goyal that the Governor had already addressed the State Tourism Minister regarding problems faced by pilgrims at the Jammu Railway Station, besides writing to the Chairman Railway Board in this regard. On learning about the constraints faced by the Northern Railway, it was agreed that Principal Secretary to the Governor would assist Mr. Goyal to have an early meeting with the State Government, for urgent resolution of all outstanding issues to enable further improvements being brought about in the facilities to be provided to the pilgrims at the Jammu Railway Station.
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