Jammu, March 23 (Scoop News) Asking the authorities to ensure better facilities to pilgrims at Bahu Fort, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla said the government has earmarked Rs. 45 lakh for face lifting of wayside open spaces by developing recreational parks, view points, drinking water, illumination besides construction of Darshani Deodi near Kalika Nagar in and around historical Bahu Fort.
Interacting with the locals during his visit to the area, he directed the Tourism Department to make functional all the high mast lights in and around the Shri Bawe-Wali Mata for the convenience of devotees. He asked the JDA and JMC to immediately start the repair and renovation works of pathway and water coolers and complete these well before the start of Navrataras.
Bhalla expressed satisfaction over the speed of work and asked the executing agencies to work with zeal and dedication so that all the works would be completed in a time bound manner.
Bhalla complimented the people in general and devotees of Shri Bawe-Wali Matri and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji in particular, on the Holy Navratras starting from April 4. He also prayed for peace, tranquillity and prosperity in the state and the country. He said that Bahu Fort has its great importance not only as a base camp of the holy cave at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine but also one feels the spiritual bliss as soon as one reaches at Shri Bawe-Wali-Mata. He said that the famous temple of Shri Bawe Wali Mata has been witnessing a continuous increase of the pilgrims after every passing year.
Appreciating the untiring efforts of management committee in creating facilities for the pilgrims, the Minister said that the area has achieved manifold development over the years with the blessings of the goddess. He said pilgrims are our honoured guests and we should do as much as we can for facilitating them. He exuded confidence that locals would put in their best efforts in taking all care of the pilgrims during Navratras starting next month.
He called upon the traders’ community to refrain from indulging in sale of duplicate and poor quality stuff to the pilgrims visiting the Shri Bawe-Wali-Mata temple from across the country during Navratras. He said such practices will send a wrong message to the outside world about the state and affect the market of its products.
Later, inspected the ongoing development works of lanes, drains and upgradation of main chowk by way of providing and fixing of paver tiles at Bazigar Basti, coming up at an estimated cost of Rs. 24 lakh.
Bhalla said ensuring better basic amenities like drinking water, un-interrupted power supply, road connectivity, healthcare, education and better sewerage system to the people at their door steps is the vital agenda of coalition government. He said Union Government headed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has been providing liberal funding to the State for accelerating developmental and economic activities.
Earlier, a large number of deputations called upon the Minister and apprised him of their demands and grievances.
Responding to demands and problems of the people, the Minister assured them that all their issues would be addressed in a phased manner.