Alternate exit track at Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine under consideration
*186 more CCTV cameras to be installed shortly
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 7: Sky Walk and remodeled Parvati Bhawan at the shrine of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi will be ready before next Navratras to overcome the problem of the multi-directional flow of yatra and to curtail the crisscross movement of pilgrims for lockers and bathing spaces. Moreover, installation of 186 more CCTV cameras will begin shortly for more effective and real time monitoring of pilgrimage.
As per the Master Plan prepared by School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, work is apace on construction of Sky Walk at Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi having a total length of 200 meter with width of 2.5 meter and work will be completed before next Navratras in the month of October this year.
Being constructed as a pedestrian flyover with an average elevation of 20 feet above track level, the Sky Walk will have waiting halls with chairs for senior citizens, specially-abled persons and ladies waiting in queue. Moreover, there will be two rescue areas.
The work is being executed by Central Public Works Department (CPWD) at a total cost of Rs 16 crore and with the throwing open of Sky Walk, Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board will be able to overcome the problem of multi-directional flow of yatra, said an official document, the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR.
As per the document, to curtail the crisscross movement of yatries for lockers and bathing spaces in Bhawan area, retrofitting/remodeling of the Parvati Bhawan has been taken up by the Shrine Board and work will be completed before next Navratras. The facilities like lockers, washrooms and toilets in one building will facilitate all pilgrims arriving via Himkoti Route and will channelize the yatra towards Sky Walk.
The retrofitting/remodeling will comprise of 1915 lockers, resting place for pilgrims with separate waiting area for women and men, 45 washrooms, 34 toilets and 10 urinal points.
Pointing towards the CCTV cameras installed at various locations on the track for effective and real time monitoring of yatra, the document said, “additional 50 cameras were installed recently at strategic locations for tracking pilgrim movement. Monitoring is being done jointly by the security agencies and officers of the Shrine Board”.
“Moreover, procedural formalities have been completed for installation of additional 186 CCTV cameras which will enhance the overall capacity of such cameras in the shrine area to 720”, the document said, adding “monitoring of the CCTV network is being done at two Control Rooms-one each at Katra and at Bhawan”.
Even the work on another alternate track for exit of yatris at Bhawan is also under consideration as per the Master Plan and the same shall be taken up after the completion of Durga Bhawan. This step will further avoid crisscross movement of yatris and help in smooth flow of yatra.
“In order to minimize the adverse impact of the landslides and shooting stones, slope stabilization has been taken up in three phases for safety of the pilgrims on the track. Two phases have been completed and third phase is underway whereby rock-fall barriers, wire mesh with high tensile strength and other safety features are being installed”, the document said.
An expenditure to the tune of Rs 38.70 crore has already been incurred by the Board till date on slope stabilization and work of third phase is being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 17.42 crore.
When contacted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board Anshul Garg confirmed that Sky Walk and remodeled Parvati Bhawan will be completed before next Navratras and same will go a long way in ensuring smooth flow of yatris. “We are leaving no stone unturned for better management of pilgrimage”, he added.
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