Topic : Yatra Management Systems In Shrine Author : Dr. Arun Kumar I.A.S (Chief Executive Officer) Date :28 th and

1. Topic : Yatra Management Systems In Shrine Author : Dr. Arun Kumar I.A.S (Chief Executive Officer) Date :28th and 29th, January 2006

2. Jai Mata Di!!

3. ABOUT THE SHRINE

4. The shrine Of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji • The Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, one of the most revered shrines of India - an abode of worship for the Devotees since ages • Many legends associated with the shrine • Generally believed to be discovered nearly 700 years ago by Pandit Sridhar • Located nearly 60 Kilometers North of Jammu in the folds of the Trikuta Parbat at an altitude of 5200 Feet from Mean Sea Level. • A distance of 48 Kms upto Katra is motorable. • The remaining 12 Kms can be covered on pony, on foot or by palanquin or helicopter.

5. Darshan • In the sanctum sanctorum – inside the Holy Cave, Mata has revealed herself in the form of three NATURAL ROCK FORMATIONS called Pindies each depicting a form of Shakti.

6. Our Vision To provide world class facilities to the pilgrims by harnessing the power of technology without diluting the traditional sanctity of the Yatra

7. Things Before Takeover • The Management of the Holy Cave Shrine before its take over by the Shrine Board, vested with Dharamarth Trust and the Baridars. • They were responsible for collection and distribution of offerings and management of the Shrine. • While the offerings were collected by vested interests, the onus of all developmental activities- even basic amenities lay with the government. • Hence acute mismanagement, lack of accountability and no amenities for the yatries.

8. Takeover • The management of the Holy Cave Shrine taken over by an autonomous Board on intervening night of 30th and 31st August 1986 under “The Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1986” promulgated by the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Jagmohan on the 30th August 1986. • The administration, management and governance of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and the Shrine Funds vested in a Board comprising a Chairman and nine Board members. • The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir is the ex-officio Chairman.

9. The Rapid Pace of Change The Track AFTER • Over 21 km of track including the new track (5.6Km) and Bhairon track (3.5km) developed and tiled BEFORE • Kutcha track maintained by the PWD • Dressed stones - either scattered or too slippery.

10. The Rapid Pace of Change Contd… BEFORE • No resting places or shelter sheds. AFTER • Over 70 shelter sheds (Vishram Sthals) constructed • A lot of the track is already covered and rest is under on going programmes. The Track

11. The Rapid Pace of Change Contd… The Track BEFORE • Only a single narrow track • No protective fencings or railings AFTER • Nearly 5000 parapets and 12 km of railings/fencings developed • New alternate track to Bhawan- shorter, wider and gentler • New eco friendly battery car on the alternate track

12. The Rapid Pace of ChangeContd… AFTER • Over 60 water points • Over 35 points fitted with coolers and water filters • Aqua guard and Ion Exchange water dispensers being set up Water Supply BEFORE • Spring Water at Adhkuwari • Rudimentary drinking water facilities at Bhawan • A few Chhabils en route to provide drinking water.

13. The Rapid Pace of Change Contd… Sanitation AFTER • 33 toilet blocks with over 400 toilet seats including European seats • Over 500 workers for sanitation and cleanliness BEFORE • Virtually no arrangements for sanitation en route • a few tin sheds housing some toilet seats at Banganga, Adhkuwari and Bhawan.

14. Developments In & Around Electricity • Over 1200 Street Lights (HPSV) fitted on the track to light the entire track at night. • Exclusive Receiving Station at Katra. • Sufficient Diesel Generator to take care of the power requirements in the event of Power failures. • Installation of CFLs and inverters to save energy and fuel

15. YATRA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

16. Management/Regulation of Yatra • All Yatris required to register themselves at any of the following Yatra Registration Counters:- • 1) Main Yatra Registration Counter – Katra. • 2) Yatra Registration Counter –Vaishnavi Dham, Jammu. • 3) Yatra Registration Counter – Airport, Jammu. • 4) Yatra Registration Counter – WTC, New Delhi. • 5)Yatra Registration Counter - Hyderabad Future Counters • Mumbai • Bangalore • Yatris with valid Yatra Slip only are allowed to proceed beyond Banganga Yatra Check Post, where the Yatra Slips are checked. • Each Registered Yatri is insured for an Amount of Rs. 1,00,000 (Rs. 25,000 in case of a Minor) against accidental death. • Yatries are allotted fresh group number at Parchi Gate Bhawan in order to further regulate the Yatra for Darshans. A Group comprises of 200 devotees. • Devotees are allowed to have Darshans according to the Group allotted to them at Parchi Gate Bhawan.

17. Yatri InterfaceEnquiry & Information booth at Jammu Airport • To facilitate pilgrims arriving at Jammu by Air, an Enquiry & Information booth was inaugurated by the Chairman, SMVDSB (His Excellency the Governor, J&K) in March 2004. • Apart from providing information, the facilities available at the booth are: • Room Reservation. • Yatra Registration. • Poojan Reservation • Sale of Souvenirs items, Gold & Silver Coins, Yatra Guides, etc.

18. Delhi-based pilgrims comprise more than 17 % of the total Yatra. In order to facilitate these devotees and to ensure better interface with them, the Shrine Board has opened up a sub-office at WTC, near Connaught Place, New Delhi in January 2004 The Delhi Office headed by an officer of the rank of Asstt. Manager useful for:- Information dissemination. Room Reservation Yatra Registration etc. for Delhi based devotees. Yatri interface - Regional Office atDelhi

19. STATEWISE YATRA FOR THE YEAR 2005

20. STATEWISE YATRA FOR THE YEAR 2005

21. STATEWISE YATRA FOR THE YEAR 2005

22. Yatra in recent years- a closer look

23. Yatra in recent years- a closer look

24. Yatra- Highlights • Record breaking Yatra in the Year 2005- Yatra crossed the 6.1 million mark Total Yatra 62,52098. • The Year 2005 also recorded the highest ever Yatra for a single month – June 8,57,030 • Highest ever Yatra in a single day, August 13th, 2005 - 44,442. • The intervening period was also marked by the visits of several prominent personalities, the chief among them being,His Excellency the President of India, Shri APJ Abdul Kalam.

25. NRI Yatra at a Glance – Global religious zeal

26. TEMPLE SECURITY

27. Regulation of Yatra • All Yatris required to register themselves at Yatra Registration Counter at Katra. • Yatris with valid Yatra Slip only are allowed to proceed beyond Banganga Yatra Check Post, where the Yatra Slips are checked. Yatris are allotted fresh group number at Parchi Gate Bhawan in order to further regulate the Yatra for Darshans. A Group comprises of 200 devotees. Devotees are allowed to have Darshans according to the Group allotted to them at Parchi Gate Bhawan.

28. News of bomb blast anywhere in J&K Extreme cold / torrential rains Land slides Forest fires Festivals Auspicious dates Extended weekend clubbed with Holidays Marriage Season Amaranth Yatra Sensitivities

29. A Three Tier Security Cover CRPF SAHAYAK POLICE ARMY

30. ACTIVE AND VISIBLE AGENCIES Sahayak J&K Police CRPF Army (Directly interfacing with the Yatries for Frisking and checking of baggages.) BEHIND THE SCENES AND RATHER INVISIBLE RAW IB ( These agencies collect intelligence information from various sources and co-ordinate with active security agencies. ) Security Agencies Involved

31. Sanctum sanctorum All installations/buildings at Bhawan, Adhkuwari, Katra and staff colonies Dispensaries Heliport Water supply systems and power distribution networks Guarding the porous hilly terrain Target Areas

32. X-ray Baggage System at Darshani Deodhi • Following the grenade blast at Banganga- directions by Chairman to beef up security • Special X-ray room and frisking counters constructed near Darshani Deodi. • X-ray Baggage Detection System installed at New Police Check Post Banganga and Bhawan. • DFMD’s at BANGANGA,ADHKUWARI,INDRAPRASTHA,HIMKOTI,MANOKAMNA BHAWAN, SAANJHICHHAT, LAMBIKERI.

33. Facilities for the Devotees

34. Accommodation Facilities • The Shrine Board has constructed various Complexes/Buildings at Bhawan, Katra, Jammu and even en route at Adkuwari and Sanjichatt. • Both free and rented accommodation of various categories is available. • Nearly 150 rooms and 1500 beds available at different locations.

35. AccommodationSaraswati Dham, Jammu • Saraswati Dham, Jammu- Dormitory accommodation with a capacity of 500 beds inaugurated

36. AccommodationTrikuta Bhawan, Katra • Trikuta Bhawan- 700 bedded dormitory accommodation inaugurated at Katra • Built at a cost of Rs. 5.5 Crore with a temple in its atrium • Unique 60 X 90 transparent polycarbonate dome • Encouraging response with many group bookings having been received. • Yet another low cost accommodation planned near Trikuta Bhawan at YRC II.

37. Food & Refreshment Units 06 Bhojanalayas & 13 Refreshment Units (Viewpoints) functional at strategic locations on No-Profit-No-Loss Basis to provide wholesome and hygienic food (Bhojanalayas) & Tea/Coffee & Snacks (Refreshment Units) and also to create competition amongst the private shopkeepers. • Bhojanalayas - fitted with modern kitchen equipments, function round the clock at Bhawan. • Bakery & Dosa Dispensing plants are available on the track.

38. Catering facilities… • Himkoti, Saket and Satya View Points expanded. • Enlargement and revamping of the kitchen area and restaurant area • Catering cell Niharika relocated near E&R office at Niharika complex and renamed Annapoorna Bhojanalaya

39. Yatri Facilities – Catering…reputed food chains • The two choices available to the devotees are the local Dhabas and the Shrine Board outlets • In order to ensure variety of taste and good quality, felt to bring in good restaurants chains to have catering ventures in the Shrine area • Two eating/beverage outlets already been opened by M/s Café-Coffee-Day at Milk Bar and Adkuwari • Discussions with Sagar Ratna and Nirulas are currently on. • Meanwhile existing arrangements with Nescafe, Bru etc expanded and more outlets allowed.

40. Medical Facilities • Medical facilities in the form of ICU, Hospitals and Dispensaries available at Katra, Bhawan and en-route. • Trained professionals, modern equipment and sufficient stock of medicines • A 24 Bedded Sagar Suri Hospital is operational at Sanjichhat. • 24 Hour charitable dispensary at Katra.

41. Medical Facilities • Dispensary at Himkoti: • In order to provide Medical facilities on Alternate Track, dispensary at a cost of Rs. 13 Lakhs has been constructed near Himkoti. • Inaugurated by HE the Governor, J&K (Chairman SMVDSB).

42. Medical facilities • ICU at Bhawan started- helped augment medical facilities. • Only 30 causalities out of over 700 treated devotees thus, saving precious lives. • New medical equipments have been added in the medical units at different locations along the track Facilities in the CHC at Katra and existing evening Clinic at bus stand (Jai Durga Charitable Dispensary, Katra) upgraded by providing new medical equipments like Oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, bedside-cardicap (cardio-scope) defibrillator etc.

43. Strengthening of Emergency Medical Services • An Ambulance with carrying capacity of four patients have been added in the fleet of the Board for shifting the patients/injured yatries requiring specialized treatment. • Addition of an ambulance shall strengthen the contingency plans and help saving precious lives.

44. Battery powered Pollution Free Vehicle • Facility for patients, aged, or physically challenged pilgrims Started in October, 2003. • Each vehicle carries 4 devotees on its upward trip & maximum of 8 devotees downwards • Nominal Fare of Rs. 100/- per passenger per one way trip.

45. Recommencement of Helicopter Service • Helicopter service from Katra to Sanjichhat was recommenced in Nov 2002 through M/s Deccan Aviations Pvt. Ltd. • The first major example of private partnership

46. Yatri Facilities - Bhawan • For the facility of the pilgrims, providing lockers in the Cloak Room was conceptualized. • Nearly 100 Lockers of the Size 2’x2’x2’ installed. • For providing cheap/free accommodation and other facilities such as lockers, additional toilet blocks, efforts are on to augment better and most modern facilities as at Bhawan the demand for such facilities is constantly rising.

47. Cloak Rooms & Blanket Stores Sufficient number of Cloak Rooms and Blanket Stores available for pilgrims • No amount charged for use of above facilities except refundable security against blankets

48. Live Telecast of the Atka Aarti and other Measures • Atka Aarti held every morning and evening outside mouth of Holy Cave where maximum 80-90 devotees only can be accommodated. • High demand and low availability of opportunity to participate. • Live relay of Atka Aarti started during morning and evening hours

49. Donations and Offerings • The Board does not accept or receive any kind of state or central aid- entirely dependant on donations and offerings of the devotees • All donations exempt under sec. 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act, 1969 • Donations also received in kind and even professional services received free of cost • The tight monetary control ensures that after spending wholeheartedly on developmental works, the Board is able to build reserves for future endeavours Computerized donation counter at Bhawan

50. Yatri Interface- Donations and other services through banks • Tie ups with various banks • Donating to Mata Ji now possible through ATMs of ICICI Bank • Similar facility available to NRIs through Money2India of ICICI • Similarly J&K Bank customers can donate through Anywhere banking facility • Talks with UTI and HDFC currently on.