New Delhi: In good news for senior citizens and specially-abled pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has announced a dedicated helicopter atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Announcing the initiative, Chief Executive Officer of SMVDSB, Anshul Garg, said the facility has been introduced with an aim to enhance pilgrim services. The quota will be available on the board’s official website from Saturday.
‘Initiative in response to long-standing demands’
“This initiative comes in response to the long-standing demand from the Senior Citizen Forum, which had recently met with a high-level committee to request a separate helicopter booking quota. A similar quota was introduced for battery car bookings which received an overwhelming response over the last few months,” he added as per news agency PTI.
Apart from this, the board has also introduced a permanent free tea ‘Langar Seva’at Yatra Facilitation Centre at the Katra Railway Station. The step has been taken to ensure that pilgrims arriving at Katra receive a warm welcome and refreshments upon arriving.
Kadhi-Chawal is to be added to the menu
Sharing further details Garg added that ‘Kadhi-Chawal’ has also been added to the menu to provide the local cuisine at Adhkuwari as well as Bhairon Ghati. Apart from these, the ‘Hawan Poojan’ facility is also available at Adhkuwari Yagyashala.
He added that the improvements in infrastructure remain an important focus with the upgradation of the traditional Banganga track. The government is looking to provide additional facilities in this sector at the Shubra Bhawan, which was recently inaugurated.
On the eve of the Republic Day, the board announced priority darshan for locals, based on their Aadhar card, due to their with the shrine. Garg further said that the board remained dedicated to enhancing pilgrim services, with an aim to make the spiritual journey smoother, and more inclusive.
