Governor, Chief Minister review ongoing development works in Katra

Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reviewed the various ongoing development works and the future infrastructure requirements of Katra and its surrounding areas at a high-level meeting at Raj Bhawan here today.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, MoS for Finance and Planning Ajay Nanda, Chief Secretary BR Sharma, senior officers of the government and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board attended the meeting.
The Governor observed that as the base town of the pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Katra is a fast expanding town where varied developments had taken place without reference to a Master Plan. In this context, he emphasised that it was of crucial importance that all the stakeholders, including the state government and the shrine board, devote collective attention and adopt an integrated approach to the future developments of the town, including provision of sanitation, drinking water supply, sewerage, power supply, roads, health care and other civic amenities. Vohra stressed the need for a holistic approach being followed to meet the existing gaps in regard to road development, power, drinking water supply, health and medical facilities.
After discussing the need for ensuring the planned development of Katra, it was decided that the Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will together review all matters relating to the future planned development of Katra town and its adjoining areas, especially with regard to the development of facilities required for the visiting pilgrims.
The Governor, who is the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, announced an assistance of Rs 10 crore for developmental works in Katra and its surrounding areas. He observed that work on seven projects had already been started and work on nine other projects would be taken up immediately by the CEO of the shrine board. The Governor added that the shrine board would provide assistance to the Housing and Urban Development Department for constructing a modern bus stand in Katra and a solid waste management plant.
Expressing serious concern over continuing unplanned development, encroachments and violations of the Master Plan, the Governor stressed the need of its strict implementation.
Agreeing fully with the Governor, the CM directed that all vacant posts of the Katra Development Authority should be filled up on immediate basis and a competent Town Planner should be positioned for implementing the provisions of the Master Plan.
She announced the release of additional funds to the tune of Rs 483 lakh against the state share/contribution for the completion of Dhansar Water Supply Scheme for Katra and Pai Nullah Scheme.
The CM also directed setting up of five ICU beds at the Community Health Centre, Katra, which would run on 24×7 basis, and directed the Health Commissioner to deploy the required manpower and operationalise the fully-equipped ICU at the earliest.
Mehbooba directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to ensure that the required number of prepaid counters for hiring of auto rickshaw/taxi in Katra is set up within 30 days for the facilitation of the pilgrims and the people at large. These can be jointly run by the Tourism and Police Departments.
Earlier, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board, gave a presentation on the present status of various civic amenities in Katra and surrounding areas, especially about the various schemes being executed by the board to facilitate the visiting pilgrims and the local population.