Shrine Board members visit Katra, Bhawan; inspect infrastructure development

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29 : At the instance of Governor N N Vohra, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the Board Members had a day long tour of Katra, Bhawan and the Yatra track and inspected various infrastructure development activities and facilities being provided to the pilgrims.
The Board team comprised of E. Sreedharan, Sudha Murty, Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Dr. Ashok Bhan and H. L. Maini, Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive officer, Mandeep K. Bhandari, Additional CEO and senior Board Officers accompanied the visiting team and apprised them about a large number of activities/development works undertaken by the Board.
After paying obeisance at the Holy Cave in the early morning, the team inspected the re-modeling work undertaken in the outer cave area, including enlargement of the Atka area, replacement of worn out marble tiles, construction of new counting hall and modification of the queue system. The Board members inspected the exit route, which has recently been completed, and hoped that this will not only help decongest the Bhawan area but will also be of significant help from the point of view of disaster management.
The Board members took stock of several projects like construction of Parvati Bhawan, pony shed at Bhawan and retiling work of the track. They emphasized that the retiling work in particular on the stretch from Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati be completed expeditiously to smoothen movement of pilgrims. They also suggested to establish a veterinary centre for the benefit of ponies next to the under construction pony shed.
The Board took stock of ongoing renovation and construction of toilet blocks on modern lines. They expressed happiness over the quality of renovated toilets and hoped that adequate number of toilet blocks would be renovated/constructed at the earliest in view of ever-increasing Yatra.
The Board team inspected the entire stretch of dedicated mule track which has been constructed at a fast pace on the instructions of the Chairman.
On arrival at Katra in the afternoon, the Board members first inspected the under-construction sports stadium. While noting that the physical work at the stadium would be ready in next 3-4 months, the Board members endorsed the directions of the Chairman that a suitable policy be framed and necessary steps taken to ensure the best utilization of this facility.
Thereafter, the Board members visited Kakriyal where they reviewed the progress of construction of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence. While expressing satisfaction that the main building is nearing completion, they desired that the upcoming Doctors’ Hostel, Nurses Hostel, Guest House and other infrastructure be completed at the earliest in order to ensure that Hospital is made functional in 2013, for which necessary steps have been taken to find suitable and experienced partner.
Finally, the Board members visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and were received by Prof. R. N. K. Bamezai, Vice Chancellor, Roop Avtar Kaur, Registrar, SMVDU and other senior functionaries of the University. The Vice Chancellor gave a detailed presentation on the progress made by the University since its inception and other details regarding infrastructure development in the University. They advised the VC and senior functionaries of the University to continuously strive for academic excellence and focus on placement of students in the continually evolving job market.