Jammu, Jul 22: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) executive member, Raman Suri, on Tuesday called for an urgent and comprehensive safety audit of the entire Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Marg, from Katra base camp to the holy Bhavan, in response to the alarming recurrence of landslides on this sacred pilgrimage route. Expressing deep concern over the safety of millions of devotees, Suri emphasised the need for immediate action to ensure the route is secure for the over one crore pilgrims who visit the shrine annually from across the country.The call for a safety audit comes in the wake of a tragic landslide on Monday, which claimed the life of a pilgrim and injured several others, highlighting the growing threat posed by such incidents. “The continuous landslides on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Marg are deeply worrisome and raise serious questions about the safety measures in place,” Suri said in a statement issued here. “Engineers and experts must conduct an in-depth survey and safety audit of the entire track to identify vulnerabilities and implement robust solutions to protect devotees.”Suri said the increasing frequency of landslides sends a troubling message that the route is not safe. “This cannot be allowed to continue, as the safety of pilgrims is of paramount importance,” he said.While acknowledging the efforts of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to enhance safety, including the installation of tin sheds in sensitive areas, iron grills, and consultations with experts from IIT and the Geological Survey of India, the BJP leader stressed that more such measures are needed to prevent any further landslides. “We cannot afford to put the lives of devotees at risk. As such, an immediate safety audit must be conducted,” he said.Suri also noted that in a recent Shrine Board meeting, the Lieutenant Governor directed officials to re-identify landslide-prone areas and take necessary corrective measures. He urged the authorities to act swiftly on these directives and ensure that the safety audit is thorough and actionable. “The Shrine Board and the government must prioritise the safety of pilgrims above all else. A detailed safety audit, coupled with immediate remedial measures, is critical to restoring confidence in the safety of this sacred route,” he said.
