Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 20: Nationalist Democratic Party has urged upon the State Government to hand over Machail Mata Temple and annual pilgrimage arrangements to the Shrine Board authorities under the Governor for the better facilities to the Yatris.
In a meeting of the organization held here today under the chairmanship of its president Ravi Bakshi, its executive body members expressed serious concern over the poor facilities at the shrine and also base camp Gulabgarh (Paddar). They said that due to heavy rush of pilgrims these days, there is no sufficient accommodation at the Machail Mata shrine and some people are forced to spend nights in the open under cold conditions. There is no Sarai from the Government side there and local people provide accommodation at their own homes at Machail. The tents provided by a few local private people are not sufficient. The only Sarai being raised at Gulabgarh by the Management Committee of the shrine is still incomplete. Moreover, there is no street light system at Gulabgarh-Paddar and enroute Yatra. The medical facilities are also poor at the shrine and enroute. In case of emergency, there is no mobile phone or any other communication.
The members said that donation worth lakhs is being generated for the years but the condition of track has not been improved. There is no sufficient toilets/ bath rooms facility at shrine and Paddar. Lanes and main track near Shrine have not made concrete and moreover, no tiles have been laid there. No doubt, a lot of improvement has been witnessed at the temple but facilities for the pilgrims are negligible. There is no communication/ mobile network in the entire 32 kms track up to Machail Mata shrine. From Govt side, no sufficient facilities are witnessed. There is mismanagement in chopper service and providing on spot tickets to the pilgrims. They demanded that this shrine where lakhs of people visit every year during one month yatra, should be handed over to the Shrine Board under Governor for better management and facilities.
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