Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 27: The implementation of the slope stabilisation project undertaken by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for treatment of 33 sites which have been identified as potentially “most vulnerable” from the point of view of landslides and stones falling on the tracks was reviewed at a joint meeting held between the senior officers of the Shrine Board and the THDCIL.
H. L. Maini, Member Shrine Board, chaired the meeting in which Mr. D. V. Singh, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), THDCIL; Jitendra Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board; Dr. M. K. Kumar, Additional CEO and other concerned officers of the Board as well as R. K. Vishnoi, Executive Director and other senior executives of THDCIL participated.
Earlier, CMD THDCIL visited the track from Banganga to Bhawan and undertook first hand appraisal of the slope stabilisation measures which are being undertaken by the Shrine Board for treatment of 33 sites under the direct technical guidance of THDCIL. This project is being executed in a phased manner as a long term measure to enhance safety and security of the pilgrims against falling stones and landslides on the tracks.
CEO Shrine Board informed that the Shrine Board has already treated 5 “most vulnerable” sites under Phase-I at a cost of Rs. 20 crore and is in the process of implementing Phase-II of the project involving 7 more vulnerable sites, including those on the upcoming Tarakote Marg, at a cost of Rs. 17 crore. The DPR for the remaining 21 identified vulnerable sites is being prepared which are to be taken up for treatment and stabilisation under Phase-III and Phase-IV of the project. The DPR is also being formulated for 2 more vulnerable sites for treatment for funding under NDMA.
The meeting was informed that the most advanced technologies were being adopted for treatment and stabilisation of hill slopes along the tracks for ensuring that all the hill slopes remain hazard-free for the pilgrims. In this context, it was suggested that the latest technology of installing motion monitoring sensors, augmented with ground based periodic surveys by a Standing Committee comprising technical experts drawn from Geological Survey of India, THDCIL and senior officers of the Shrine Board, shall also be established. CEO Shrine Board was asked to process this further.
It is pertinent to mention that the methodology utilised for protection, treatment and stabilisation of Trikuta Mountain slopes comprises interventions which involve highly sophisticated techniques like installation of ‘High Energy Absorption Rockfall Barriers’, ‘High Tensile Strength Steel Wire-Mesh’, ‘Rolled Cable Net’ and concrete work including shotcrete, cladding, drilling grouting, anchoring as well as other site specific treatments.
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