Katra/Jammu, Mar 18: An elaborate security net has been cast over the trek leading to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills for the Chaitra Navratras, an official said on Wednesday.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) CEO Sachin Kumar Vaishya said the entire shrine area, including the Bhawan and surrounding premises, has been decorated with flowers ahead of the nine-day festival.
A heavy influx of pilgrims is expected to visit the shrine during the period, which ends on Ram Navami.
“The Shrine Board has made extensive arrangements for the convenience, safety, and smooth darshan of the devotees. The footfall of pilgrims this year has reached 15 lakh, and it is believed that the yatra will further increase in the coming days,” Vaishya told reporters in Katra – the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the shrine.
The CEO said that multi-layer security arrangements have been made with personnel from the CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Shrine Board security staff, and the army. An Integrated Command and Control Centre is functioning round-the-clock, and high-tech CCTV cameras have been installed to keep constant watch on the situation, he said. Eight ‘May I Help You’ desks have been set up at different locations.
The CEO said a priority is being given to devotees with disabilities, and free battery car service, as well as pony service, like previous years, will be provided to them.
Vaishya said some new facilities have also been added this year, like Sadhana Kaksh for meditation, and a Yagyashala for havan.
