Our Bureau
Jammu
A catastrophe occurred last Tuesday on 26th August as a landslide hit Vaishno Devi track killing around 35 innocent lives. Since then the Vaishno Devi yatra in Jammu and Kashmir has been suspended, making this the longest duration the pilgrimage track has been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The Yatra that was suspended a week ago has no real indication of resuming anytime soon as there are predictions of heavy rain in the next 60 hours. Even the J&K administration has sent an order instructing the hotels and dharamshalas in Katra to vacate the location. This order has further deepened the uncertainty around the whole situation.
An order was issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Katra, Piyush Dhotra which stated that all establishments from Asia Chowk to Balini Bridge and from Balini Bridge to Darshani Deodi should be vacated. This should be done with immediate effect as a preventive measure for landslides, sinking of roads and should remain vacated until they get a safety certificate.
“I order the vacation of all commercial establishments located on the stretch from Asia Chowk to Balini Bridge and from Balini Bridge to Darshani Deodi with immediate effect, till these establishment obtain Safety Certificate from the Executive Engineer, PWD (RBB), Katra,” read an order by Katra SDM.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha has ordered a probe against the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine Board. The board has been criticised heavily and has seen strong public resentment and protesters in Katra, for their failure to cease the Yatra even after the heavy rains and red alert. This failure of the board to stop the pilgrimage led to the deaths of 35 people.
There is a three-man panel that has been constituted to get into depth of the reasons behind the landslide incident. The panel will be headed by Shaleen Kabra, additional chief secretary J&K and will include Divisional Commissioner of Jammu and Inspector General of Police, Jammu zone. They have been instructed to submit their reports within two weeks to the Lieutenant Governor.
