Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a meeting of Tourism Department to take stock of the completion of projects taken up under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme here in J&K and also reviewed the facilities being extended at Shiv Khori Shrine ahead of the Mahashivratri festival.
Those who attended includes Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Commissioner Secretary, Culture; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Secretary, PWD; Secretary , H&ME; Secretary, Transport, MD, JPDCL; DC, Reasi; Director Tourism, Kashmir/Jammu; MD, Cable Car Corporation and other concerned officers.
While speaking in this meeting, the Chief Secretary took note of the progress made on projects taken up at the religious sites under PRASHAD scheme. He also enquired about the projects that had been submitted to Ministry of Tourism, GoI for augmenting infrastructure at other religiously and culturally significant places found across the districts of the UT.
Dulloo took this occasion to stress upon the concerned to execute the projects on ground and their early completion keeping in view their importance for bringing ease to the visitors. He also directed for early submission of plans for other eligible sites for their comprehensive development too.
He enjoined upon the Tourism, Culture and Public Works Departments to identify works and execute them keeping in consideration their religious and cultural significance. He called for their completion preserving their aesthetic appeal, local art and architecture.
The Chief Secretary further asked for identification of additional sites in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions on the basis of tourist footfall there. He stressed on framing comprehensive plans as per the set format so that these too are developed on modern lines.
In her presentation, the Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Yasha Mudgal informed the meeting that the projects for development of Utterbehni, Purmandal and Katra are in pipeline. She revealed that the plan for Katra includes Rs 44.52 Cr with main components of multilevel car parking, facade improvement of fawara chowk, walkway development to Darshan Deodi, construction of public toilets and other Illumination and beautification works.
The scope of works for development of Utterbehni and Purmandal were given as construction of steel suspension foot bridge, 3D mural paintings, landscaping/vertical garden, multi-facility complex at Purmandal, development of riverfront, facade lighting, sewerage treatment besides protection and other beautification works.
Other projects submitted to GoI for approval includes development of Ganga Ghat at River Choti Ganga near Choti Ganga near Thanda Pani Bridge, Development of pilgrim circuit at district Udhampur at the cost of Rs 13.47 Cr.
It also includes development of Hari Parbat Fort, Kheer Bhawani Temple, Baba Shukr-ud-din Shrine at Watlab (Sopore), Baba Lal Sahib Shrine Kupwara, Religious circuit in district Poonch, Development of Kailash Kund and other shrines at Baderwah township.
Regarding the development of Shiv Khori Cave Shrine, the Chief Secretary directed for extending all the facilities for smooth conduct of upcoming Mahashivratri Festival to be celebrated from February 25-27 here.
The Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Nidhi Malik gave account of the activities traditionally conducted here on this holy festival. She also gave insights about the development of Helipad at Katra and Shiv Khori Shrine.
The details of other development activities taken up under CSR are refurbishment of toilets, food kiosks, drinking water points, resting/rain shelters, Development of river ghats, beautification of the Ram Mandir, installation of sound system, beautification around the cave besides others.
It was also revealed that the administration also envisages construction of alternate track to cater to the rush of pilgrims, stabilization of hillock, construction of new staircase and bathing Ghats, Improvement of road to Ransoo, augmentation of Ransoo Bus Stand, Strengthening of steel bridges, lighting of tracks and other beautification works.
Moreover it was added that in order to enhance the security of pilgrims, CCTV cameras had been installed around the temple shrine with deployment of more security personnel. It was further disclosed that the pilgrim count has taken a major leap with just around 50,000 pilgrims in 2008 to more than 20 lakh in 2023.
The cave shrine attracts lots of devotees on the occasion of Mahashivratri festival as a number of religious activities are held here in true spiritual devotion of the devotees.