Vaishno Devi track to be under CCTV surveillance soon

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 5

The entire track to the holy cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, nestled in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district, would soon come under the CCTV surveillance system to help the authorities in monitoring the movement of the pilgrims and strengthening the overall security grid.

This was stated at the 65th meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) held at the Raj Bhavan here today under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G), Girish Chandra Murmu, who is the Chairman of the Shrine Board.

The meeting was attended by all Board members of the SMVDSB, Chief Secretary J&K BVR Subrahmanyam, Principal Secretary to the L-G Bipul Pathak, outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shrine Board Simrandeep Singh and CEO-designate Ramesh Kumar and other officials.

“The meeting reviewed the present status of the installation of the CCTV surveillance system on the entire track from Darshani Deodi to Bhawan which will be implemented on a turnkey basis. Once in place, the system will not only help monitor the movement of the pilgrims and strengthen the overall security measures, it will also be of immense support in case of any emergency situation to provide realtime assistance to shrine and local administration,” an official spokesperson said.

The Board also reviewed the status of the implementation of the Bhawan Master Plan which involves the construction of the mega Durga Bhawan for accommodating nearly 4,000 pilgrims at Bhawan area, Inlet Queue management system at Bhawan, Exit Track at Bhawan, and queue management system at Bhairon Ghati. The estimated cost of the implementation of the first phase of Bhawan Master Plan is Rs 90 crore.

The Board also reviewed the status of the underground cabling project, from Katra to Bhawan and the surrounding areas, which is allotted to M/s JSP, a Ghaziabad-based company by the PDD of the J&K Government.

It was mentioned that the work had begun on the project from Tarakote Marg, and it would take 24 months for the work to be completed. Estimated to cost Rs 78 crore, the project will be partly funded under the PMDP and partly by the Shrine Board.