news details |
|
|
| CCTVs to be fitted inside Vaishno Devi shrine | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 9: Due to an increase in threat perception, close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would soon be fitted inside the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and on the 13 km Katra-cave track. The cave shrine, one of the most revered places of worship visited
by over eight million people every year, is on the radar of militants.
Already a three-tier security set up of army, CRPF and police is in place around the cave shrine in the Trikuta Hills to keep militants away. CCTVs would be installed to ensure fool-proof security of the shrine, the Ban Ganga-cave route and the base camp of Katra town, police sources said.
The cameras would monitor suspicious activity, if any, as a preventive measure against any possible terror attack, the sources added. Vaishnodevi shrine is the second busiest shrine in the country after Tirupati Balaji with over 80 lakh pilgrims visiting it annually.
Over 20,000-30,000 pilgrims visit the shrine daily.
Sources said 35 CCTV cameras would be installed at Katra and en route the shrine with two monitoring centres being set up at Katra police station and Bhawan police station.
A police team had already conducted survey of the points for the installation of CCTV cameras and prepared a project report keeping in view the threat perception and tactical points. Apart from the cave shrine, some of the other points identified for installation of CCTVs included Ban Ganga, Charanpaduka, Himkoti, Adh-kunwari, Sanjichat, Katra Bus Stand and Yatra Registration Centre.
Sources said a team of CCTV experts had also carried out a survey at Katra and en route the holy cave shrine. The whole work of fitting CCTV cameras was likely to be over in a
month, the sources added.
The 13-km Katra-cave route is lit up with 710 powerful sodium lamps while parapet walls and railings set up along the track also take care of safety and security aspects.
Surpassing previous records, the holy Vaishno Devi shrine had set a new milestone last year with over 82.05 lakh pilgrims thronging it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
