Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 19: N.N. Vohra, Governor, who is the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, held an extensive meeting to discuss and identify areas for which plans need to be finalized to meet the longer term needs of the pilgrimage to this Shrine.
The discussions were held with H.L. Maini, Board Member and Technical Consultant, SMVDSB and Dr. M.K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB at Raj Bhavan here.
After discussion, the Chairman directed the CEO to have a project report prepared from a reputed consultancy firm to quantify the requirements of power and water for the Yatra over the next 15-20 years.
On the basis of such assessments timely action will need to be taken to execute projects to meet the future water and power demands for the Yatra. The CEO was asked to take early action for securing inputs from Central Ground Water Board and other agencies to identify places where underground water may be available so that exploration efforts can be carried out on a time bound basis.
The Governor also directed that early action for setting up a water filtration plant near the existing sources from which water is supplied for the pilgrims moving on the tracks and the various establishments which are located along side. The meeting discussed the functioning of the existing water supply schemes and the plans for enlarging their capacities.
Earlier, Mr Maini gave a detailed presentation of the Master Plan for the shrine area which had been prepared some years ago. The discussions included plans for widening the existing pathways for enabling rapid and free movement of the pilgrims.
Also discussed was the remodelling of the existing buildings, widening of the Atka area, installing elevators in the shrine area for easier access for pilgrims etc. The Chairman directed the CEO to ensure installation of solar power units to cover every establishment in the shrine area and to make all the locations more eco-friendly.
The Chairman asked the CEO to ensure time bound completion of the ongoing work for the demolition of Durga Bhawan. He advised that a suitable design, of the new building to be constructed at the same location should be got prepared very early to create dormitory accommodation for the pilgrims.
The CEO was asked to have prepared a model of the existing structures around the entire Bhawan area and another model which would show the proposed new buildings.
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