Jammu, Dec 18: Today, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha presided over the 73rd Meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) at Raj Bhawan.
The meeting included Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, and Sh. Anshul Garg, CEO of SMVDSB.
Alongside the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated several pilgrim-centric facilities, such as the Yatri Facilitation Centre at Railway Station Katra 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 area and launched digital initiatives for the Shrine Board, including an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system and the AI-enabled Chatbot “Shakti” available on the Board’s official website. Additionally, the Panchang Calendar 2025 and the diary of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board were unveiled.
The Board conducted a thorough review of its previous decisions, validated the actions taken since the last meeting, and made numerous new decisions regarding 25 critical agenda items that will significantly impact the Board’s operations and enhance pilgrim services.
Key decisions were made concerning both new and ongoing projects, including the construction of an Exit Track from Durga Bhawan to Manokamna (part of the Master Plan for the Bhawan area), developing a helipad in collaboration with the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board in village Hutt at Katra, and building temples in District Reasi, as well as reviewing the status and operational progress of the Medical College at Kakryal.
The Board also extensively reviewed various services such as the Jammu-Bhawan-Jammu Heli Service, Smart Lockers at Durga Bhawan, the Vishram Ghar near Ram Temple, the Jan Aushadhi Kendra, Health ATMs, Hawan & Nav Chandi Path services at the New Yagyashala, Virtual Darshan facilities near the Bathing Ghat, Garbhjoon Aarti Darshan, and Langar Sewa at Adhkuwari. Appropriate directives were issued to ensure the seamless delivery of these services, which are expected to significantly improve the overall experience and comfort of devotees visiting the sacred Shrine.
The Lieutenant Governor, serving as the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, reiterated the Board’s commitment to providing a fulfilling experience to pilgrims by enhancing transparency and efficiency in all services.
He instructed for a detailed analysis of services, security & disaster management, strengthening mobile connectivity and improving the feedback mechanism for pilgrims.
The meeting approved a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and THDC India Limited (THDCIL) aiming to identify and treat slopes at risk of landslides and rockfalls along the Yatra Route between Adhkuwari and Bhawan. This collaboration will prioritize the safety of pilgrims by mitigating risks associated with unstable slopes.
To tackle congestion issues near the Battery Car Point at Bhawan, the Board approved improvements to the area’s infrastructure by constructing a dedicated parking facility for Battery Cars, situated opposite Parvati Bhawan, featuring a three-storey structure. This will create a convenient and organized space for Battery Cars, reducing congestion and enhancing the area’s overall atmosphere.
The Board also ratified the Master Plan for the Sanjichhat Area, which addresses the enhancement of key sectors such as Accommodation, Toilets, Water Points, Food Points, Queue Management, and Holding Areas.
The Board acknowledged significant developments in the Kakryal area, which has seen the establishment of facilities like a Hospital, University, Nursing College, and Medical College, and encouraged the CEO to explore ways to meet the educational needs of employees tied to these facilities.
The meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing projects and emphasized the importance of completing all initiatives on time to ease pilgrimage. Key projects in this context included the New Vaishnavi Bhawan at Bhawan, the Covered Holding Area at Adhkuwari, the Exit Track & Remodeling of the Manokamna Area at Bhawan, the Queue Complex at Darshani Deodi, Banganga, and Cottages near the Sport Stadium in Katra.
The Board also appreciated the façade lighting project aimed at enhancing the aesthetics and ambiance of different Shrine sectors, approving the revamping of lighting at the old Gufa’s façade in the Atka area and inside the three caves and sanctum sanctorum using a combination of LEDs and fiber optic lighting.
Additionally, the Board granted an extra Grant-in-Aid for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Charitable Society to support operations of the Board’s peripheral institutions, including the Medical College, Hospital, Gurukul, Sports Complex, and College of Nursing, all managed by the SMVD Charitable Society.
Earlier, Sh. Anshul Garg, CEO of SMVDSB, delivered an extensive presentation detailing the various activities of the Shrine Board and the actions taken concerning previous meeting decisions.
The newly constructed ‘Shubhra Bhawan’ at Banganga, Katra, built at a cost of Rs. 6.50 crore, features a disaster management holding area, a spacious waiting lounge, a lactating mothers’ zone, a centralized information and registration center, a souvenir shop, refreshment kiosks, ATMs for banking and water, and 18 modern staff quarters. A well-equipped disaster management store is a significant feature of Shubhra Bhawan, expected to serve as a vital resource for emergency response and disaster mitigation.
The meeting was attended by Board Members: 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.
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