 Early Times Report
KATRA, July 30: A joint delegation of Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra (HRAK),& PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), Jammu Region Chapter, Comprising of President HRAK & Chairman PHDCCI Rakesh Wazir, HRAK Chairman Shyam Lal Kesar, Sr.Vice President HRAK & PHDCCI Katra Head Virender Kesar, HRAK Vice President Nishant Sharma, Executive Member Gaurav Sharma, Kulddep Sharma and others met Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board,and submitted a comprehensive memorandum recommending several measures aimed at enhancing pilgrim facilities, ensuring the sustainable growth of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, increasing pilgrim footfall, extending visitors' stay in Jammu & Kashmir, and strengthening the local economy.
The delegation was of considered opinion that frequent suspension of the Yatra during weather conditions will effect the Vaishnodevi pilgrimage in a big way. While appreciating the Shrine Board's commitment to pilgrim safety and acknowledging that the initial suspension following the recent flash flood tragedy was fully justified, but suggested that complete suspension of the Yatra should remain an exceptional measure. Wherever safety permits, pilgrims may be diverted through alternative routes.
Mr.Wazir while speaking on the occasion said that if we examine the historical record of the past nearly 50 years, it becomes evident that on the old track from Adhkuwari to Bhawan, there has not been a single major landslide resulting in the loss of life. Similarly, from Katra to Adhkuwari, except for Gulshan Langar area, there has been no loss of life due to landslides during the last five decades except that last incident and the last incident where people lost their lives,as described by Shrine Board itself also was a flash flood and can happen any where and for that stoppage of Yatra on regular occasions is not good and even otherwise from last so many decades stoppages of Yatra on weather alerts never happned.
He said that whenever heavy rainfall or Red alert is announced where it is considered necessary to suspend the Yatra, the entire pilgrimage should not be stopped. Instead, pilgrims may be diverted through the safer alternative routes. For example, pilgrims can be guided from Ban Ganga entrance point to newly constructed parallel path way i.e. to new pathway made between Tarakot Marg to Pony Stand so that they may reach straight pony stand, and thereafter continue on the old track from Ban Ganga to Bhawan. Likewise, if the Tarakote Marg from Katra to Adhkuwari is considered safe, pilgrims may also be routed through that track and then from there to Bhawan on old track. This approach would ensure that the Yatra continues uninterrupted while maintaining the highest standards of safety and this practice is applied from years and years together.
The memorandum cautions that repeated disruptions may adversely affect the long-term growth of the pilgrimage, particularly when major pilgrimage destinations across the country are competing to attract devotees.
Shyam lal Kesar emphasizes that pilgrimage tourism is the backbone of Katra's economy and a major contributor to the economy of the Union Territory. It stresses the need to continuously improve infrastructure and services so that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage remains among the finest managed religious pilgrimages in the world.
He sought relief for Shrine Board licensees who suffered severe financial losses during periods when the Yatra remained officially suspended following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indo-Pak conflict, the flash flood tragedy, and subsequent weather-related restrictions. He requested waiver or refund of the License Fee for the affected period or, alternatively, extension of the license tenure by an equivalent duration, noting that similar relief had been extended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virender Kesar emphasised for increasing the man power at RFID registration counters so that there may remain minimum ques.
He suggested that particularly at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station the number of registration counters be increased , particularly during train arrivals when thousands of pilgrims reach the station simultaneously. It also suggests utilizing the unused floor space within the existing RFID complex to reduce waiting time and improve crowd management.
Nishant Sharma & Gaurav Sharma asked for preparation of a comprehensive master plan for the integrated development of Katra through coordinated efforts of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra Development Authority, Municipal Committee, and other concerned agencies. It recommends improvements in civic infrastructure, including underground electrical cabling, uninterrupted power and water supply, sanitation, and other essential public amenities, to provide a world-class experience to visiting pilgrims.
Sachin Kumar Vaishya, listened the delegation patiently and assured that sympathetic consideration will be given to each and every point raised in the meeting. |
