* Shrine Board to develop civic amenities in town
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: Governor N. N. Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reviewed various ongoing development works and future infrastructure requirements of Katra town and its surrounding areas and took several important decisions of far reaching consequence at a high level meeting held at Raj Bhavan here today.
Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh, Deputy Chief Minister; Ajay Nanda, Minister of State for Finance and Planning; B. R. Sharma, Chief Secretary and the concerned senior officers of the State Government and the Shrine Board attended the meeting.
Governor observed that as the base town of the pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, where pilgrims from all over the country and beyond throng in millions round the year, Katra is a fast expanding town where varied developments have taken place without reference to a Master Plan.
In this context, he emphasised that it is of crucial importance that all the stakeholders, including the State Government and the Shrine Board, devote collective attention and adopt an integrated approach to the future developments of the town, devoting particular attention to the provision of sanitation, drinking water supply, sewerage, power supply, roads, health care and other civic amenities. He stressed the need for a holistic approach being followed to meet the existing gaps in regard to road development, power, drinking water supply, health and medicare facilities.
After discussing the need for ensuring the planned development of Katra, it was decided that the Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will together review all matters relating to the future planned development of Katra town and its adjoining areas, especially with regard to the development of facilities required for the visiting pilgrims.
It was also decided that a High Level Coordination Committee (HLCC) headed by the Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department and comprising the Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, Secretary Tourism, Deputy Commissioner Reasi and Director Urban Local Bodies will prepare fully integrated plans and ensure that all the agencies working in Katra and its surrounding areas function in a fully coordinated manner. HLCC will be responsible for the implementation of all the schemes relating to Katra town, including the Swachh Iconic Places Scheme which has been recently launched by the Government of India.
Expressing serious concern over continuing unplanned development, encroachments and violations of the Master Plan, the Governor stressed the need of strictly implementing the Master Plan. Agreeing fully with the Governor, the Chief Minister directed that all vacant posts of Katra Development Authority should be filled up on immediate basis and a competent Town Planner should be urgently positioned for implementing the provisions of the Master Plan.
Housing and Urban Development Department, particularly the Chief Town Planner were directed to immediately prepare a Zonal Plan of Katra Town, particularly keeping in view the need for planned development of various civic amenities within a 30 year perspective.
It was also decided that the State Government will urgently take up with the Central Government and seek assistance for Katra Town under AMRUT Scheme and also for benefit of Namami Gange Scheme being extended for the planned development of Banganga River.
The Governor, who is Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, announced an assistance of Rs. 10 crore for developmental works in Katra town and its surrounding areas. Governor observed that the Shrine Board will provide assistance to the Housing and Urban Development Department for constructing of a modern Bus Stand in Katra Town and also for setting up of a modern Solid Waste Management Plant.
Regarding the renovation and conservation of Bhimgarh Fort at Reasi, Tourism Department was directed to ensure time bound completion of the project and early opening of the Fort for visitors.
Regarding implementation of the directions of the National Green Tribunal, the meeting was informed that Deputy Commissioner Reasi will ensure regulation/removal of unauthorised and illegal shelter sheds along the Banganga river by or before February 28, 2017.
Regarding upgradation of roads, it was informed that the required projects for improvement and widening of Jhajjar and Panthal Road, including bridge over Jhajjar Nallah, have already been prepared and submitted to the Central Government for funding under CRF. Besides, another project for constructing a link road from Railway Station to Kakryal Road has also been submitted for funding under CRF scheme. Governor directed the urgent preparation of a project for the protection of the hill slopes of Jhajjar on Manthal-Kakryal road, which has been constructed by JKPCC.
Chief Minister observed that Rs one crore will be released to PWD for land compensation and forest clearance to be paid in respect of construction of approaches to Maghal Bridge, Deva Mai Ji to Ohli Mandir Road and Sarpatian Devi Pindian roads.
Chief Minister announced the release of additional funds to the tune of Rs. 483.00 lakh against state share/contribution for completion of Water Supply Scheme Dhansar for Katra town and Pai Nallah Scheme.
So far as strengthening of medical care services at CHC Katra and enroute the shrine is concerned, Chief Minister directed the setting up 5 ICU beds in the CHC Katra which will run on 24×7 basis, considering high influx of pilgrims in Katra town and directed the Commissioner Health to deploy the required manpower and operationalize the fully equipped ICU at the earliest. She further directed the urgent filling up of all the vacancies besides posting of a Surgeon and MD Physician at CHC Katra on urgent basis.
Earlier, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, gave a presentation on the present status of various civic amenities in the Katra Town and surrounding areas, especially about the various schemes being executed by the Board to facilitate the visiting pilgrims and the local population.
Several Administrative Secretaries and other officers participated in the meeting.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
