*No consensus yet on sharing of Shiv Khori Board land
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 26: Although Governor N N Vohra is repeatedly laying thrust on expeditious shifting of helipad from the Katra town, the much-talked about plan is unlikely to become reality in near future due to strong resistance from the people of the proposed location. Moreover, consensus eludes another proposal regarding sharing of land of Shiv Khori Shrine Board with Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board for establishment of common helipad on Katra-Reasi road.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that Governor N N Vohra is keen to get the existing helipad at Serli near Katra shifted to most suitable site outside the holy town in view of certain risks to the helicopters carrying pilgrims from Serli to Sanjhichat near Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine and the extreme noise pollution being created by the choppers.
Not only by Governor, who is also Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, the shifting of helipad has also been recommended by a Committee of State Legislature, which after assessing the intensity of noise pollution being created by the choppers flying between Serli and Sanjhichat, had stressed the need for prompt shifting of helipad to uninhabited area along the Katra-Reasi road.
During high-level meeting convened yesterday, the Governor again discussed the issue and while expressing concern over slow progress on acquisition of land for new helipad passed directions for completion of entire exercise within shortest possible time, sources said.
However, the shifting of helipad outside the Katra town is unlikely in near future as the people of Hut Panchayat on Katra-Reasi road are up in arms against land acquisition for the project, sources said, adding the people have made it clear to the Government that they would not give their land for the project at any cost on the ground that this land is only source of livelihood for them.
It is pertinent to mention here that till date land in only Hut Panchayat has been identified for establishment of new helipad for chopper service for the pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi.
“No doubt, Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board is ready to pay sufficient funds for acquisition of land in this area for establishment of new helipad and Reasi district administration is also trying its level best to acquire the land but due to resistance from the public no progress could be made till date. The deadlock is notwithstanding the fact that this land has also been found suitable by the DGCA for new helipad”, sources said.
Moreover, no consensus has emerged over utilization of land of Shiv Khori Shrine Board located at some distance from Hut Panchayat for construction of new helipad to be used jointly by Shiv Khori Shrine Board for its proposed heli-services and Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, sources said while disclosing that this issue was also discussed during meeting convened by Governor yesterday but no final decision could be taken for want of consensus.
Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the Government has been left with option of either going in for compulsory acquisition of land at Hut Panchayat or making fresh attempts to convince Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board for having a common helipad with Shiv Khori Shrine Board on the land belonging to the latter, sources said.
“Some solution is required to be found without wasting of any further time keeping in view the noise pollution being generated by the chopper service from the existing location and risk being posed by the birds to the operation of helicopters from the existing helipad at Serli”, sources said.
The necessity of shifting helipad from the present location has also become imperative in view of recent chopper crash which claimed lives of many pilgrims. It is generally believed that the helicopter crashed after being hit by a bird. But the official findings of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are still awaited.
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