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Despite NGT cap, Vaishno Devi Yatra breaks last five years record

Vikas Sharma. Dated: 12/11/2018 10:57:38 AM

Fresh snowfall at Bhawan to add more pilgrims

Vikas Sharma
Jammu, Dec 10
After a gap of five years, the world famous Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine pilgrimage has set new record as the yatra figure of 2017 was crossed on Monday.
This record has been broken despite the number of pilgrims has been restricted by the NGT.
Pertinent to mention here that, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has capped the number of pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir to 50,000 a day. Exceeding that number, the devotees would be stopped either at Ardhkumari or Katra, ruled the green court. It also stayed new constructions taking place inside the shrine complex.
In 2016, the NGT had asked the CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to furnish a report giving details of the municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) installed there.
In the last year, a total of 81,78,318 pilgrims visited to the cave shrine but new record has been set as the yatra crossed this figure on Monday morning with still 21 days are left in the current year.
Meanwhile, with fresh snowfall at Bhawan and start of Bhawan-Bharion Ghati Cable Car, there are possibilities that the yatra will further increase and may touch new record hoping that it may cross 85 lakhs.
The upper hills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi on received season’s first snowfall.
It was raining and foggy weather conditions while the upper reaches of Trikuta Hills also received first snowfall of the season. The Board has made adequate arrangements for the pilgrims in view of cold weather conditions.
“We have also made heating (angeethi) arrangements on the track so that the pilgrims keep themselves warm,” said a top official of SMVDSB.
“The pilgrims are smoothly performing the pilgrimage amid rains. If the rains continue, the pilgrims may also see spell of snowfall at Bhawan,” he further added.
in regard the functioning of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji pilgrimage, the NGT had, in its order of 13 November, 2017, interalia, directed the Shrine Board: to operationalise the new 7 kilometer. Tarakote Marg, between Banganga and Adhkuwari, by 24th November 2017; that every effort should be made not to raise any new construction at the Bhawan; and that the number of pilgrims at the Bhawan should be restricted to 50,000 per day and excess thereof should be halted either at Katra or Adhkuwari.
The Board has also appealed against the NGT’s directions related to capping of Yatra and restrictions of new constructions at Bhawan on the grounds that it is unreasonable and premature to impose such restrictions till the ongoing Master Plan of Bhawan and extended shrine area is finalised and approved by the Board. This matter is awaiting further hearing in the Supreme Court.
It is pertinent to mention here that in 2013, record one crore pilgrims visited to the cave shrine and paid obeisance.