Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 9: As a long term measure to ensure against falling stones and land-slides for the safety of pilgrims, N. N. Vohra, Governor, launched the work for implementation of the first phase of a very important project for the protection, treatment and stabilization of 5 of the most vulnerable sites between Katra and Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji Shrine. The first phase of the project is estimated to cost nearly Rs. 12 crore and will be completed within a time frame of 21 months.
The Governor, who is Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, launched the work on this crucial project, close to the Battery Car Stand near Shrine on the Lower Track.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, giving details, said that the work on this important project to ensure safety of the pilgrims, is being executed in consultation with and under supervision of M/s Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Ltd (THDCIL), an Undertaking of Government of India and UP. He stated that the executing agency for the first phase of the project is a consortium of M/s Geobrugg AG, Switzerland and M/s Pioneer Foundation Engineers, India.
The Governor was briefed by Lawrence Zorde, CEO of M/s Geobrugg AG, Switzerland and Niraj Agrawal, Deputy General Manager, THDCIL, about the salient features of the project and the interventions which will be taken up as part of the project meant for the protection and treatment of slopes.
The 5 sites to be treated in the first phase are located one each close to Inderprastha View Point near Adhkuwari (chainage 5.275 to 5.330 km), in the shrine area to stabilise over-hanging rock structures and 3 other sites located on the Lower Track between Adhkwari and the shrine at chainage 0.925 to 1.000 km, near Panchhi Staff Colony (chainage 3.850 to 4.250 km) and before the Battery Car Stand (chainage 5.075 to 5.375 km).
The full project involves treatment of 24 slide prone/falling stone sites along the entire tracks. This comprises interventions like installation of high energy absorption rock fall 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, with an objective of ensuring safety for pilgrims against falling stones, landslides etc. The complete Project would be implemented in a phased manner at an estimated cost of about Rs. 45 crore.
The CEO stated that the Shrine Board had engaged the services of THDCIL for undertaking all measures for scientifically studying and treating the vulnerable portions of the hill slopes along the track between Katra and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. This included conducting geological surveys, investigations and specific studies, designing stabilization interventions as long term measures to ensure against falling stones and landslides. On the recommendations of THDCIL, IIT Kanpur had carried out the work of Topography Survey and IIT Roorkee had done the Geological Mapping and Slope Stability Studies. He said that the designing work for the second phase of the project is presently being undertaken for execution in the near future.
H. L. Maini, Member and Technical Consultant of the Shrine Board; Asif Gani Kazi, MD, Pioneer Foundation Engineers, India; and senior officers of the Shrine Board were present on the occasion.
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