JAMMU: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) plans to install 200 new CCTV cameras along the pilgrimage route to ensure safety and a smooth experience for visitors. This was announced by officials on Tuesday.
The Board will also follow the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) rule, which limits the number of pilgrims to 50,000 per day. Only those with RFID cards will be allowed to proceed toward the Vaishno Devi Bhavan, especially during the busy New Year period.
As the year ends, more devotees visit the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. To handle this, the Board is working with the district administration to take proactive steps, said Anshul Garg, CEO of the Shrine Board.
Garg highlighted that the Board is adding 200 advanced AI-equipped CCTV cameras along the route to improve security. With these new cameras, there will be over 700 cameras in total, and they should be installed within three months.
To manage the increasing number of pilgrims safely, the Shrine Board and district administration are holding regular meetings. They are collaborating with the police to ensure effective crowd management and security for all visitors.
The Board has also set up more RFID counters to reduce waiting times. Devotees can now get RFID cards in just 15 minutes, according to Garg.
These RFID cards not only comply with safety protocols but also offer benefits like real-time tracking along the route and an accidental insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh for each cardholder.
Garg stated that, following NGT guidelines, only 50,000 pilgrims can visit the shrine daily. For the New Year, this limit will be strictly enforced, allowing only RFID cardholders to go toward the Bhavan.
The Board noted that the number of pilgrims continues to rise each year. Last year, 95 lakh pilgrims visited, setting a new record, and this number is expected to be even higher as the year ends.
The Shrine Board is committed to providing a safe and smooth pilgrimage experience for all devotees during the year-end festivities.
