Katra: Amid shutdown and protests over Vaishno Devi ropeway project led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, fearing that the project could negatively impact their livelihoods, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address landslide and rockfall-prone areas along the tracks leading to the revered cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
Landslides and rockfalls have claimed several lives and caused injuries over the past three years, including the tragic loss of three pilgrims in a landslide on September 2 this year.
The MoU, approved during the 73rd board meeting chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, involves a collaboration with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and THDC India Limited (THDCIL). The partnership aims to identify and stabilize hazardous slopes along the pilgrimage route between Adhkuwari and Bhawan, ensuring pilgrim safety, a board spokesperson said.
The Lieutenant Governor also directed the board to review service quality, security protocols, and disaster management strategies. He stressed the importance of enhanced mobile connectivity and improving the feedback mechanism for pilgrims.
To alleviate congestion near Bhawan, the board approved constructing a three-story parking facility for battery cars, opposite Parvati Bhawan. This development is expected to streamline battery car operations and improve the overall ambiance of the area.
Additionally, a master plan for the Sanjichhat area received approval, focusing on upgrades such as better accommodations, restrooms, water facilities, food services, queue management, and a dedicated holding area for pilgrims.
The initiative underscores the board’s commitment to enhancing the safety, convenience, and overall experience for devotees visiting the shrine.
