JAMMU, Nov 7: Giving major boost to the pilgrim tourism in the Jammu and Kashmir, the Govt. has launched ‘Mata Vaishnodevi Prikrama’ road project worth Rs 80 crores for the lakhs of pilgrims visiting the Holy Shrine in Katra, on the pattern of ‘Goverdhan Parikrama’ of Mathura- Varindavan.
The Union Government has provided funds for this dedicated project- Mata Vaidhnodevi Parikrama, with the focus on the economic development of very remote Bhamag area of Reasi and Udhampur districts and promote pilgrim tourism in Jammu region. The beautiful nine temples of ‘Nau Deviyan’ are also being constructed at different locations along this circular road.
Neglected by the respective goverments in the past, this remote belt of Bhamag including some villages like Dandakote, Tote, Devigarh, Sukhal Ghati, Devipindi etc will get a big boost in the overall development. Suffering for the last several decades, the people of this remote area will have a better road connectivity through this new alignment and existing road upgradation work.
Starting from Gran Morh near Reasi, this road after passing through Gorta , Dandakote, Tote, Devigarh, Sukhal Ghati and Devipindi will meet near Panthal on Udhampur-Katra road. For the construction of nine temples, the sites have already been identified along the alignment. While some portion of the old alignment of Reasi-Bhamag road has been included in this road project, Ladda and Kothri villages have been excluded. However, the PW(R&B) authorities claimed to have formulated another road up-gradation project for Kainthgalli (Pancheri)-Mongri-Ladda-Tote-Dandakote-Reasi road which is in worst condition and accident prone.
Chief Engineer, PMGSY Jammu Division P K Phonsa told that tender for this new 38.325 kms Mata Vaishnodevi Parikrama Road has been issued. This will be almost new alignment, but some portion of the old Reasi- Bhamag road will also be part of this Circular Road.
Phonsa further said that the contractor has been given a target of three years to complete this road. A lot of area of this road alignment comes under Forest, particularly Devigahr, Sukhal Ghati, Jangal Gali, Devipindi area has thick forest. The department has already written to the J&K Forest authorities for seeking forest clearance for this prestigious road project.
“The prime focus of the Government on this project is to create Mata Vaishnodevi Parikrama Marg / Road for lakhs of pilgrims visiting the holy shrine every year. The purpose is to promote pilgrim-tourism in the Jammu and Kashmir. The work on this project is going to start shortly,” he said.
The Chief Engineer said that this Circular Road Project is going to raise the economic condition of the people of this remote Bhamag belt as many eating points will come up as this road is made operational.
Executive Engineer PMGSY Reasi, Amit Abrol when contacted said that practically the take off point of this new road project will be from Pangalad near Tote upto Panthal via Sukhal Ghati and Devi Pindi. The existing nearly 33 kms road from Gran Morh near Reasi up to Pangalad (Tote Panchayat) is being upgraded.
The contract of this Parikrama Road Project worth Rs 80 cr stands allotted to a firm and the process for Letter of Acceptance (LoA) has been initiated. After receiving other documents from the contractor including Bank guarantee etc, the earth work will be started.
Abrol further said that three years target has been fixed for the road completion. Forest clearance will be a major challenge. The department will try its best to seek Forest clearance as early as possible. He said the existing 32.900 kms road will be upgraded and widened where ever required. Four bridges are also being raised. There will be no tunnel along this alignment except a few ridges. Moreover, funds for the blacktopping and improvement of 19 Kms existing road stand already sanctioned.
Former DDC Chairman, Reasi, Saraf Singh Nag, who also hails from this remote belt in Reasi said that with the launch of this new Mata Vashnodevi Parikrama Road Project , the economic condition of the poor people from this remote Bhamag area will certainly improve. He said lakhs of pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishnodevi shrine will go for Parikrama and also visit the nine temples along this route. Their stay at Katra or in the adjoining areas will also be extended. New shops and markets will come up along this Circular Road at several places. It will further expose the nearby areas of tourism potential, Nag added.
