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Work starts on Durga Bhawan for 4000 pilgrims at Shri Mata Vaishnodevi

Subodh Bhasin. Dated: 3/18/2019 11:48:08 AM

Subodh Bhasin
Jammu, Mar 17
To add additional facilities for meeting the accommodation needs of the pilgrims who visit the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji, Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, laid foundation stone for reconstruction of Durga Bhawan in the Bhawan area.
The work on this 5-storey building on the sidelines of the 64th meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board held under his chairmanship at the Raj Bhavan here.
The Governor electronically laid the foundation and launched the work. The building with a plinth area of 14,800 sq ft and covered area of 60,000 sq ft is estimated to cost Rs 50 crore. It will provide free accommodation to around 4,000 pilgrims every day by maximising space utilisation which will significantly enlarge the logistical framework for the pilgrims in the Bhawan area.
The new Durga Bhawan will have adequate facilities such as lockers, toilets, blankets, snacks and beverages as well as provision of four elevators. This building will be earthquake-resistant. The top terrace of the building will be at the level of the existing track of Bhawan which will be covered with an aesthetically designed roof as an additional resting place. This building will be almost twice the size of the old Durga Bhawan.
It is pertinent to mention here that the new Durga Bhawan is part of four projects of the phase I of the master plan for 2021. It is pertinent to mention that the master plan seeks to achieve the target of ensuring maximum free accommodation to pilgrims by 2031.
Malik has directed the Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board to ensure speedy completion of the new Durga Bhawan so that the pilgrims start benefitting from the facility at the earliest. He also asked for ensuring timely implementation of the various components of the master plan for establishing infrastructural facilities for the visiting pilgrims in a planned and holistic manner. He further directed that the building should have adequate provision for harnessing clean energy, recycling of waste water, setting up of STPs etc.