Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) executive member, Raman Suri has 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 emphasized 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,” said Suri. “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.”
This month alone, another landslide disrupted the new pilgrimage route, forcing a temporary halt to the yatra. Similar incidents of falling stones during rains have been reported multiple times, often leading to brief suspensions of the pilgrimage. These recurring events have sparked concerns about the safety of both the old and new routes, which remain crowded with devotees year-round, he said. “The increasing frequency of landslides sends a troubling message that the route is not safe,” Suri added. “This cannot be allowed to continue, as the safety of pilgrims is of paramount importance.”
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, Suri 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 prioritize 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 stated.
The BJP leader called for a collaborative effort involving engineers, geologists, and other experts to assess the structural integrity of the track and implement long-term solutions to prevent landslides. He also appealed to the Shrine Board to ensure that no stone is left unturned in making the pilgrimage route safe for devotees, who undertake this spiritual journey with immense faith and devotion.
