Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 13: On the directions of Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, a number of short and long term measures are being taken by Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, for ensuring greater safety and security of pilgrims who move on both the tracks from Katra to Bhawan. These measures, interalia, include stabilisation of the hill slopes, installation of shelter sheds and fixing of steel wire mesh fencing all along the tracks.
In a review meeting taken by the Governor, Sahu informed that as per the Chairman’s earlier directions the work on fixing 8 feet high wire mesh fencing along the edges of all the tracks has been completed along the entire 19.2 km track length at an expenditure of more than Rs. 8.50 crore. This work has taken about 5 years to be completed.
Sahu informed that the main objective of raising the 8 feet high metal wire mesh fencing along the tracks is to ensure against any child or elderly pilgrim accidentally falling down the hill slopes as well as to ensure against Yatris throwing waste materials, water bottles etc down the hill side and causing pollution. Waste paper bins have been installed at regular intervals all along the over 19 km tracks.
Sahu further informed that the 19.2 km wire mesh fencing work includes 2750 metres along Charan Paduka Marg, 4175 metres along Hathimatha Marg, 2000 metres along Panchhi Marg and Bhawan and 3600 metres along Bhairon Ghati Marg. The other wire mesh fencing work which has also been completed includes 5400 metres along Himkoti Marg, 205 metres along Exit Track at Bhawan, 270 metres along Approach to Sanjichhat Helipad and 800 metres along Bye Pass Pony Track at Adhkuwari.
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