Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Sept 12: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had its 56th meeting at the Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra, today under the chairmanship of Governor N. N. Vohra, who is Chairman of the Shrine Board.
The meeting was attended by Dr. E. Sreedharan, Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Sudha Murty, Dr. Ashok Bhan, H. L. Maini, Justice (Retd) Permod Kohli and Maj. Gen. (Retd) Shiv Kumar Sharma, all Board Members, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. M. K. Kumar and B. Mohandaas, Additional CEOs of the Shrine Board. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health, Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Bangalore, who was invited by the Chairman, N.N. Vohra, to specially visit Kakryal for a first hand review of the hospital project.
The Board reviewed the progress of all the major ongoing development and other programmes and took several important decisions for further improving the facilities which the Shrine Board provides for the pilgrimage.
Following up on the visit of the Board Members to the site of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Specialty Hospital Project at Kakryal on the previous afternoon, the Chairman and Members of the Shrine Board discussed all important issues relating to this project with Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health, Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Bangalore, with whom the Shrine Board has entered into an agreement for the operationalisation of the 230-bedded Super Speciality Hospital, Kakryal.
The Board decided that the CEO, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, will initiate time bound action for completing all formalities for the establishment of a Nursing College at Kakryal. It was also decided that planning should also commence for the establishment of a Medical College at Kakryal, which would be linked to the Super Speciality Hospital.
Among the other important decisions taken by the Board was its direction to the CEO to take urgent steps for the preparation of a comprehensive Master Plan for the entire shrine area and the tracks for particularly ensuring the best possible use of the scarce land resources available and, side by side, for securing protection of the environment.
The Board also directed time bound action for finalisation of all necessary arrangements for the effective management of solid and liquid wastes, rain water harvesting, utilisation of solar energy and making all facilities suitable for use by physically challenged and older persons.
The Board noted that work relating to the installation of a state-of-the-art Audio System along the entire Banganga – Bhawan track has been completed and, side by side, under the guidance of Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Member of the Board, music has been prepared – comprising ragas, bhaints, local folks and devotional music, chants and mantras – which will now be played over the audio system and be heard by all those who are moving on the track from Banganga to Shrine. The CEO was directed to ensure that the public address system is effectively linked to the Control Room so that important public announcements as well as instructions in regard to dealing with emergency situations, made on the public address system, are heard simultaneously by everyone on the tracks to the Shrine.
The Board reviewed the functioning of the hi-tech Plant Nursery established at Panthal and the total afforestation and fire prevention measures so far taken. The Board also reviewed the progress of the Bhawan – Bhairon Ghati Passenger Ropeway, the Trikuta Hills Material Ropeway and the work underway for the stabilisation of the Trikuta Mountain Slopes.
The Board noted that the Shrine Board’s Sports Complex at Katra, built at a cost of about Rs. 11 crore, would be fully completed within a month and directed the CEO to timely finalise a befitting sports programme to mark the inauguration of this important facility.
The CEO informed the Board about the action so far taken for the improvement and maintenance of public utilities, cleanliness and sanitation in the Katra town. The CEO was directed to urgently finalise the plan for the Bus Station Katra to be fully upgraded and provided with all necessary conveniences.
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