Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Feb 5: Hotel & Restaurant Association (HRA), Katra today submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the High-Level Committee constituted for the Ropeway Project comprising of SMVD Shrine Board members, Dr.Ashok Bhan and Judge, (retd) Suresh Kumar Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, CEO Shrine Board, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, highlighting key concerns and suggestions related to the proposed project and allied measures aimed at improving pilgrim facilitation, enhancing the overall Yatra experience, and increasing Yatra footfall.
The memorandum was submitted by HRA Katra, president, Rakesh Wazir along with Chairman, Shyam Lal Kesar, senior vice president, Virender Kesar, Executive members, Sahil Heera and Sohan Chand who complimented Committee members for providing stakeholders an opportunity to present their views. They emphasized that the Ropeway Project should be initiated only after thorough consultation with all stakeholders, and its starting point should be from a place from where base Camp of Katra be not ignored and sanctity and faith of town and Vaishnodevi Shrine is maintained.
Since everyone in the Committee was associated with Shrine Board in one way or the other thus other issues pertaining to the Shrine were also discussed including, serious concern over frequent suspension of the Yatra, stating that even a one-day stoppage adversely impacts tourism and hospitality-related activities for an entire month. The memorandum stressed that facilitation of Yatries must remain the top priority, with no diversion of funds from essential Yatra-related facilities. It also called for a detailed analysis of the stagnation of Yatra since 2012 and a review of the unprecedented decline witnessed during the previous year.
Wazir while highlighting long-term growth measures, HRA Katra proposed a strategy to rotate nearly one crore pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi annually to other pilgrimage and tourist destinations across Jammu & Kashmir, with Katra as the focal point. Citing success stories such as Shiv Khori, Nau Devian, Baba Dhansar, Sear Baba, Patnitop, and Bhaderwah, the Association recommended expanding this model to destinations like Deva Mai,Devi Pindian, Mathwar, Ambaran, Showa Mata, Raghunath Temple, and Bawe Wali Mata.
Kesar, while speaking on the occasion advocated introduction of a Light and Sound Show on the history of Maa Vaishno Devi Ji, promotion of Mata Ki Parikrama Yatra, revival of traditional ancient routes, and planned beautification of Katra town on the lines of the Golden Temple precinct and Chandni Chowk models.
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