Pilgrim safety, connectivity enhanced; 78 well-furnished rooms, five lifts for devotees
RK News Service
Jammu, May 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated the state-of-the-art Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Helipad at Village Hutt, Katra, and dedicated the new Vaishnavi Bhawan at the holy shrine to devotees, while also inaugurating other related works at the Shri Shivkhori Shrine.
Helipad at Village Hutt, Katra
The Lieutenant Governor said the integrated aviation facility will streamline heli-operations, enhancing heli connectivity, safety and convenience for pilgrims visiting the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji.
“This helipad has been developed in strict compliance with the safety and operational norms laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The facility places a paramount emphasis on passenger safety, security, and seamless travel experience, meeting the growing demand for heli-services among devotees. It will also provide a significant boost to religious tourism in the region,” he said.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, in collaboration with the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board, has undertaken development of a modern Helipad/Heliport at Village Hutt, Katra, as well as at Shiv Khori, to ensure convenience, safety and accessibility for pilgrims undertaking helicopter travel to holy shrines. The infrastructure is based on technical inputs from DGCA and operational requirements assessed by the Board. It is capable of accommodating enhanced passenger handling and helicopter operational capacity, including future shifting of the existing Serli Helipad operations to Village Hutt.
The project includes construction of the helipad and allied aviation infrastructure, development of a 1.10 km approach road, creation of an expanded terminal building with passenger amenities such as waiting halls, ticketing and refund counters, reception areas, offices and security cabins, as well as construction of a modern hangar facility and associated operational infrastructure. The facility also includes provision of safety, security, sanitation, parking, utility services, emergency response systems and queue management facilities necessary for efficient heliport operations.
The project aims to create sufficient operational capacity for present and future helicopter traffic while addressing safety concerns related to helicopters flying over Katra town. It also streamlines and professionalises heli-services through centralised management and operation by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, leveraging its long-standing expertise in heli operations. It will also facilitate integrated pilgrimage connectivity between the two shrines from a common heliport and support the development of pilgrim infrastructure in the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine area through collaborative institutional arrangements and financial assistance.
The enhanced infrastructure will increase footfall at the holy shrine and make travel more convenient for pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, who also wish to undertake a pilgrimage to Shri Shiv Khori.
Members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board – Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, Dr Ashok Bhan, Suresh Kumar Sharma, Lalit Bhasin, Kulbushan Ahuja; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; Kumar Abhishek, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi; Alok Maurya, Additional CEO SMVDSB; senior officials of the Shrine Board, police and District Administration and Border Roads Organisation were present at the inaugural ceremony.
LG dedicates Vaishnavi Bhawan to devotees
The Lieutenant Governor also dedicated the new Vaishnavi Bhawan at the holy shrine Shri Mata Vaishno Devi to the devotees, stating that the new facility will significantly enhance the pilgrim accommodation capacity at Bhawan, improve overall pilgrim amenities and create a modern, efficient and comfortable infrastructure designed to accommodate the growing influx of devotees.
The project was conceptualised under the comprehensive Master Plan for the Bhawan and its extended areas. Recognising the need for enhanced infrastructure and creation of modern Yatri Accommodation facilities, the SMVDSB approved the redevelopment of the Pannishalla area, which was previously used for staff quarters, into a Yatri-cum-Staff Accommodation complex.
The New Vaishnavi Bhawan has been constructed over a total area of approximately 45,784 sq ft. The facility will provide 78 well-furnished rooms for pilgrims. The construction work commenced in February 2024 and was completed in a time period of two years.
The ground floor houses reception and waiting areas, Manager Office and Staff Mess with Kitchen, ensuring efficient operational management of the facility. A Bhojanalaya is also available on the terrace for catering to pilgrims and staff. To ensure accessibility and convenience, the building is equipped with five lifts, including three passenger lifts of 26-person capacity, one service lift and one connecting lift linking the facility with Parvati Bhawan.
The Lieutenant Governor also paid obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine and prayed for peace and prosperity of J&K UT and well-being of one and all.
Members of the Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO, SMVDSB; Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range; Kumar Abhishek, DC Reasi; Alok Maurya, Additional CEO SMVDSB, senior officials of the Shrine Board, police and District Administration attended the inaugural ceremony.