Death keeps no calendar, goes the saying. We express deep sorrow for five pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine who met with their tragic death owing to a landslide that over took them when they were hiking along the special track from Adhkunwari to Bhawan. This is not the normal track over which the pilgrims move and is taken by some by choice. A landslide came down suddenly and cussed the death of three persons on spot and two more in the hospital. The Shrine Board authorities who moved within shortest possible time to arrive at the scene of tragedy and immediately got engaged in rescue works. He shrine Board has ordered ex=gratia relief of three lakh rupees in favour of each pilgrim who lost his life in the accident.
The traffic along the alternative track was suspended though movement along the normal track between Adhkunwari and Bhawan was not closed. This tragedy might make the Shrine Board authorities consider requisitioning the service of meteorological experts who can issue forewarning about weather conditions or landslides. Prevention is better than cure goes the saying. Such anticipation can be possible and hopefully the Shrine Board authorities will take into consideration. Secondly, we know that the engineering wing of the Shrine Board is taking care of raising protection walls so that the chances of landslides coming down in rainy season are reduced. This service needs to be extended so that all vulnerable sites along the track are given support structure to stop landslides. Plantation of specific trees and bushes and shrub on the mountains is also recommended. Furthermore, if the track is considered vulnerable then it has to be abandoned for good and only safe track is to be allowed for use.
This notwithstanding, we first of all take it a natural calamity beyond the human control. Secondly, we appreciate quick and lightening action by the Shrine Board authorities in bringing rescue team on spot, removing the dead bodies, carrying the wounded to the hospital and providing whatever succor was needed to the affected persons.
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