JAMMU, Dec 18: The 73rd meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) was chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan today.
Members of the Board present included Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, Baleshwar Rai, Dr Ashok Bhan, Kul Bhushan Ahuja, Dr Neelam Sareen, K.K Sharma, Suresh Kumar Sharma, and Raghu K. Mehta.
Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, the Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, and Anshul Garg, the CEO of SMVDSB, were also part of the meeting. Concurrent to the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor unveiled and inaugurated several facilities focused on the needs of pilgrims, such as the Yatri Facilitation Centre at Katra Railway Station and the Yatri Facilitation cum Staff Accommodation Complex (Shubhra Bhawan) at Banganga.
He also laid the e-foundation stone for the new Exit Track at Bhawan, intended to alleviate congestion in the Bhawan area, and introduced digital advancements for the Shrine Board, including the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system and the AI-enabled Chatbot “Shakti” available on the Board’s official website. Additionally, the Panchang Calendar for 2025 and the diary of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board were revealed.
The Board conducted a thorough review of its previous decisions, ratified actions taken since the last meeting, and made several new decisions across 25 key agenda items that will significantly impact the operation of the Board and enhance services for pilgrims.
Several crucial decisions were made regarding new and ongoing projects of the Board, including the construction of an Exit Track connecting Durga Bhawan to Manokamna (as part of the Master Plan for the Bhawan area), the development of a helipad in partnership with the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board in Hutt village at Katra, building temples in the Reasi district, reviewing ongoing projects, and the status of the Medical College at Kakryal operated by the Board.
The Board reviewed the performance of various services such as the Jammu-Bhawan-Jammu Heli Service, Smart Lockers at Durga Bhawan, Vishram Ghar near Ram Temple, Jan Aushadhi Kendra, Health ATMs, Hawan & Nav Chandi Path at the New Yagyashala, Virtual Darshan facility close to the Bathing Ghat, Garbhjoon Aarti Darshan, and Langar Seva at Adhkuwari, issuing appropriate directions accordingly.
The Board expressed confidence that the efficient delivery of the approved services would surely enhance the overall experience and comfort of the devotees visiting the esteemed Shrine.
The Lieutenant Governor, also the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to provide an enriched experience to pilgrims by enhancing the transparency and efficiency of all services.
He instructed for comprehensive analyses of the services, as well as security and disaster management; to strengthen mobile connectivity and improve the pilgrim feedback system.
The meeting approved a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and THDC India Limited (THDCIL), aimed at identifying and addressing slopes susceptible to landslides and rockfalls along the Yatra Route from Adhkuwari to Bhawan. The collaboration will aim at ensuring the safety of pilgrims by mitigating risks associated with unstable slopes.
To tackle congestion near the Battery Car Point at Bhawan, the Board sanctioned plans to enhance the area’s infrastructure by establishing a dedicated parking facility for Battery Cars, situated opposite Parvati Bhawan atop a three-story building. This will create a convenient and organized space for Battery Cars to operate, thus reducing congestion and improving the overall atmosphere of the area.
The Board also approved the Master Plan for the Sanjichhat Area, which addresses the improvement of essential sectors including Accommodations, Toilets, Water Points, Food Points, Queue Management, and Holding Areas.
