KATRA: In view of the ongoing monsoon, Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board inspected yatra facilities and ongoing infrastructure development works enroute from Katra to Bhawan today.
These arrangements interalia include round the clock water and power supply, catering, healthcare facilities, sanitisation and cleanliness and the expeditious clearance of track in case of any debris or landslides falling on the track due to heavy rains to ensure smooth movement of the pilgrims. Other pilgrim-centric arrangements reviewed on the track included Battery Operated Vehicles between Adhkuwari and Bhawan as well as Bhawan-Bhairon Ghati Passenger Ropeway and the security and other aspects of the pilgrimage.
He was accompanied with Dy. CEOs, concerned engineers and other officers of the Shrine Board. CEO directed all the Area/ Unit Heads and concerned engineering staff of the Board to take all possible measures to respond to any developing or emergent situation in view of incessant rains so that no inconvenience is caused to the visiting pilgrims. While inspecting the Disaster Management Stores, he directed the Area Heads to closely monitor the situation during monsoons and take stock of sensitive locations on the track. He also directed to keep Disaster Management Task Force (DMTF) of Shrine Board in state of readiness for ensuring prompt response to any disaster situation.
During inspection of the ongoing works of Underground Cabling, the CEO asked for immediate completion of the left out works, besides taking stock of the Hi-tech Video Wall projects at various locations on the track. CEO stressed the project needs to be expeditiously completed so that the video walls are installed and made functional well before ensuing Navartaras. It was also emphasised that the work on most congested areas need to be taken up on priority and while digging and execution of the work, safety of the track must be ensured. At Bhawan, the CEO took appraisal of the construction work of the Durga Bhawan. In this context, the CEO reviewed the bottlenecks and directed to expedite the pace of work to meet the timelines, so that the pilgrims start benefitting from the facility at the earliest.
He also took stock of the logistic requirements by the executing agency. He also called for making coordinated efforts while executing construction work without any hindrance to the yatra in a planned and holistic manner.
Ramesh Kumar also stressed upon Area Heads to ensure maintaining adequate social distancing and strictly follow COVID-appropriate behaviour taking all other precautionary measures in sync with the protocols.
