Div Com (J) calls for expeditious completion of infra works at Machail Mata Shrine; reviews arrangements for Annual Yatra

Jammu : Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Dr Raghav Langer Thursday chaired a meeting of concerned officers to review the progress of development works at Machail Mata ji Shrine and also reviewed the arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of Annual Yatra to the Shrine.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Ashok Sharma; Director Tourism, Vivekanand Rai; Additional DC Jammu, Syambir Singh; Deputy CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji Shrine Board, Vishvajeet Singh; Chief Engineers of JPDCL, PWD, PMGSY besides senior functionaries of Reliance, Airtel and other concerned officers while Deputy Commissioner Doda, District officers of Kishtwar participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
At the outset, the Divisional Commissioner inquired about the overall infrastructure development requirements. The Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar apprised him of progress achieved so far and future work plan.
It was informed that in compliance of High Court Judgment various Chandi Mata Shrines, temples are to be taken over by administration to further entrust the management to one of existing Shrine Boards. The Chandi Mata temples included Machail Mata Shrine, Chandi Mata temples at Bhaderwah of Doda district, temples at Dhami and Pacca Danga in district Jammu.
The Div Com directed the concerned District Administrations to constitute committees for inventorisation & to review the existing management and take over the same.
While reviewing annual Yatra arrangements which generally start from July 25, it was informed that varied works have been initiated for development of basic facilities, roads, power supply, buildings etc in the Shrine area.
The Div Com took strong note of sluggish pace of work on PMGSY project and directed the Superintendent Engineer to complete the same for smooth conduct of Yatra.
Regarding power supply facility, the Chief Engineer JPDCL informed that the work was in progress and the area will get the facility by ending April.
Asking for dependable telecom services for pilgrims, the Div Com stressed on the district administration to facilitate the work on installation of towers, resolve land issues, power supply etc.
It was informed that a website portal/ mobile app will be launched for registration of pilgrims and to provide all the information related to Shri Chandi Mata Ji Machail Yatra and its history.
Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) informed that DPRs have been prepared for the construction/repair of Dharamshala, Renovation of existing toilets en-route to Shrine and other additional works.
The Div Com instructed the concerned officers to immediately float tenders to ensure that these infrastructural development works are completed before the start of Yatra.
Dr Langer also exhorted upon DC Kishtwar, other concerned officers to explore provisions of installation of solar lights, CCTV’s on entire route.
He further called for introducing RFID tracking for the pilgrims visiting Machail Mata this year to ensure their safety.
He directed district administration Kishtwar to identify locations for tracking zones, installation of PTZ cameras, setting up of control room.