One for the pilgrims safety, Vaishno Devi shrine to have an inhouse disaster response force by Sept 2020

Srinagar, June 24: Gathering from across the country, the pilgrims with complete reverence seek blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir. In order to take proper care, the pilgrims visiting the shrine, the state has opted to dedicate an inhouse disaster response force by September next year.

The Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Simrandeep Singh said, “Training of the board staffs who will be the first respondents in case of any eventuality has already begun at the headquarters of 7th battalion of National Disaster Response Force in Punjab.”

He further informed that in order to prepare a dedicated disaster response force for the shrine the board is planning to train 180 employees by September next year. Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is a religious pilgrimage atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu region that attracted 86 lakh pilgrims from across the world last year.

Lauding NDRF, Singh said the force is not charging any fee for the training of the shrine board staff to ensure a quick response in the wake of any fire incident, earthquake, landslides or any other emergency situation.

To further augment the disaster management preparedness, the CEO said an NDRF team would conduct a comprehensive audit of the disaster management stores set up by the board at various locations on the track and in the Bhawan area so that, wherever required, these are further replenished and strengthened by adding latest gadgets and equipment.

In March, a team of the NDRF conducted a mock exercise on the yatra track near the Bhawan area in order to analyze and evaluate the level of preparedness to most effectively and promptly respond to any emergency situation.

The shrine board is also planning to set up an emergency operation centre as part of its disaster preparedness.