Make Chaitra Navratri memorable for pilgrims: Raman Suri, urges SMVDSB to ensure safe, hassle-free Darshan

JAMMU: Senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Raman Suri, has called upon the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) to make comprehensive and proactive arrangements to ensure a safe, smooth, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for devotees during the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri, scheduled from March 19 to March 27, 2026.

Highlighting the massive influx of pilgrims to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi during Navratri, Suri emphasized that effective crowd management must be the top priority. He stated that every year, heavy rush often leads to chaos and inconvenience, which can be avoided with better planning, coordination, and on-ground execution.

Suri specifically called upon SMVDSB to ensure scientific crowd regulation systems so that pilgrims can have a safe and orderly darshan without unnecessary delays or risks. He stressed that authorities must pay special attention to critical congestion points, particularly the final stretch near the cave shrine where steel grills have been installed. According to him, this area remains highly vulnerable to mishaps due to bottlenecks and requires immediate review and improved crowd flow mechanisms.

He further appealed to SMVDU and shrine authorities to collaborate in minimizing overcrowding at such sensitive locations and deploy trained personnel to guide and regulate pilgrim movement effectively. Addressing the issue of basic amenities, Suri underlined that adequate drinking water facilities must be ensured throughout the entire Yatra route, especially considering the rising temperatures during the summer season.

“Access to clean drinking water is the minimum basic necessity and should be available at regular intervals for all pilgrims,” he added. He also urged all eateries and food outlets along the route to strictly maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards, ensuring that devotees are provided with safe and healthy food options. Regular inspections should be carried out to enforce compliance.

In a key suggestion to strengthen on-ground monitoring, Suri recommended that SMVDU and Shrine Board authorities deploy officers and staff along the entire Yatra route, from the base camp at Katra to the holy cave shrine. These officials should actively patrol the track, instead of remaining confined to offices, to oversee facilities and promptly address grievances. “For these nine crucial days, staff must be strategically positioned across the route to provide real-time assistance and supervision,” he said.

Suri also emphasized improving facilities at the base camp in Katra, including better queue management, sanitation, information kiosks, and help desks. To enhance accessibility and accountability, he suggested that staff members be provided with distinct uniforms clearly marked with ‘Assistance’, enabling pilgrims to easily identify and approach them for help.