Katra/Srinagar: President Droupadi Murmu paid obeisance at the Vaishno Devi shrine on Thursday and inaugurated a skywalk and the remodelled Parvati Bhavan at the shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district, officials said.
The President was accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on the visit to the shrine. The CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Anshul Garg briefed Murmu about the projects.
The 250-meter long and 2.5-meter wide skywalk (pedestrian flyover) project at an elevation of 20 feet above the existing track has been constructed in a record 14 months time at a cost of Rs 15.69 crore with an aim to overcome the problem of multidirectional flow of yatra, an official press release informed.
It said the skywalk is laced with modernized facilities like wooden flooring as a preventive measure for devotees’ comfort in harsh weather conditions, a waiting hall, seating arrangements for about 150 pilgrims, LED screens, resting rooms and two emergency exits.
The pedestrian flyover (skywalk) has an aesthetically designed entrance with an artistically embellished portrayal of Nav Durga to give an enriched experience for devotees. After its commencement, entry and exit routes leading to the sanctum sanctorum have been separated to ensure systematic and smooth movement of the yatra.
It will help overcome the problem of a multidirectional flow of pilgrims and a chaotic condition between Manokamna Bhawan and Gate No-3, the scene of the stampede on New Year’s Day in 2022 in which 12 people lost their lives and 16 were injured.
The skywalk was planned to decongest the flow of pilgrims and help in better crowd management at Bhawan during the peak periods, the officials said.
Parvati Bhawan has been fully remodelled at a cost of around Rs 15 crore and is a free-of-cost facility for the pilgrims. It has been linked with the skywalk to ensure that pilgrims proceed directly to the shrine after depositing their luggage.
It has facilities of 1,500 lockers that cater to 10,000 to 15,000 pilgrims every day, officials added.
Before heading for the Vaishno Devi shrine, President Murmu planted a pagoda sapling in the lawns of the Raj Bhawan Auditorium in Srinagar in the morning, officials said.
The inaugural ceremonies commenced with hawan and pooja rituals.
The President complimented the efforts being initiated by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha towards facilitating the journey and holy Darshans of the pilgrims.
The LG apprised the President about the initiatives being taken by the Shrine Board for upgrading and expansion of the infrastructure to facilitate pilgrims to the shrine. These initiatives are aimed at making the yatra more convenient and memorable for pilgrims which is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the Board.
While on return, the President also visited the Bhairon Temple via Passenger Ropeway and paid obeisance.
