Land slips on Vaishno Devi shrine route to be checked

JAMMU - The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has asked a central government undertaking to scientifically treat the hills to prevent land slips along a 13-km track leading to the shrine, a statement said Saturday.

“The shrine board has engaged Tehri Hydro Development Corporation, a government of India undertaking, for undertaking all measures to scientifically treat the vulnerable portions of the hill slopes along the track,” the statement released by Raj Bhawan said.

Governor N.N. Vohra, who is also the chairman of the board that manages the affairs of the shrine, wanted slope stabilization work done along the 13-km route from Katra base camp to the shrine located at the height of 5,200 feet above sea level, it said.

The shrine, that attracted more than eight million pilgrims last year, is located 55 km north of Jammu.