Jammu, February 8: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a meeting of the Tourism Department to review the progress of projects undertaken under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting also focused on assessing the facilities at Shiv Khori Shrine ahead of the Mahashivratri festival.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the 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 and Jammu; MD, Cable Car Corporation, along with other concerned officers.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reviewed the status of ongoing projects at religious sites under the PRASHAD scheme and inquired about proposals submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for enhancing infrastructure at other religiously and culturally significant locations. He emphasized the need for timely execution and completion of these projects to ensure better facilities for visitors.
Dulloo directed the departments of Tourism, Culture, and Public Works to identify key development works while ensuring that the religious and cultural essence of these sites remains intact. He also called for identifying additional locations in Jammu and Kashmir with high tourist footfall and preparing comprehensive development plans in line with modern tourism standards.
Commissioner Secretary, Tourism Yasha Mudgal, briefed the meeting on several projects in the pipeline. The proposed Katra development plan, estimated at Rs 44.52 crore, includes multilevel car parking, facade improvement of Fawara Chowk, walkway development to Darshan Deodi, construction of public toilets, and other illumination and beautification works.
For Utterbehni and Purmandal, the development plan involves the construction of a steel suspension footbridge, 3D mural paintings, landscaping and vertical gardens, a multi-facility complex at Purmandal, riverfront development, facade lighting, sewage treatment, and beautification works.
Additionally, several projects have been submitted to the central government for approval, including the development of Ganga Ghat at River Choti Ganga near Thanda Pani Bridge, a pilgrim circuit in Udhampur worth Rs 13.47 crore, and improvements to religious sites such as Hari Parbat Fort, Kheer Bhawani Temple, Baba Shukr-ud-Din Shrine in Watlab (Sopore), Baba Lal Sahib Shrine in Kupwara, religious circuits in Poonch, and the development of Kailash Kund and shrines in Bhaderwah.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed preparations for the Mahashivratri celebrations at Shiv Khori Cave Shrine, scheduled from February 25 to 27. Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Nidhi Malik, provided an overview of the traditional activities associated with the festival and discussed the development of a helipad at Katra and Shiv Khori to facilitate pilgrim access.
As part of the ongoing development at Shiv Khori, several infrastructure projects have been undertaken under CSR initiatives. These include the refurbishment of toilets, installation of food kiosks, drinking water points, resting shelters, development of river ghats, beautification of Ram Mandir, installation of a sound system, and improvements around the cave shrine.
The administration has also planned additional measures such as the construction of an alternate track to manage pilgrim rush, stabilization of the hillock, new staircase construction, road improvement to Ransoo, augmentation of the Ransoo Bus Stand, strengthening of steel bridges, and track lighting.
To enhance security at the shrine, CCTV cameras have been installed, and additional security personnel have been deployed. Pilgrim footfall at Shiv Khori has seen a significant increase, rising from 50,000 in 2008 to over 20 lakh in 2023.
The government remains committed to the development of religious tourism and the enhancement of pilgrim facilities across Jammu and Kashmir under the PRASHAD scheme.
