No repeated Covid test for Outside pilgrims, Hotel Association delegation calls on CEO SMVDSB

While acceding to the request of a delegation of Hotel & Restaurant Association,Katra compri sing of its President Rakesh Wazir,Chairman Shyam lal Kesar,Sr.Vice President Virender Kesar,Vice Presidents Ajay Kotwal and Nishant Sharma, CEO SMVD Shrine Board Ramesh Kumar said that as apprised it would be ensured that there may not be repeated Covid test of pilgrims coming from out side state and the test done by them at their native places would be acceptable and no repeated test would be done at Katra for those Yatries whose test would have been done with 48 hours with its negative report and likewise assured that he had already discussed with District Administration ,keeping in view the convenience of pilgrims there would be no lock down at Katra and enroute Bhawan and shops and other establishments will remain open for the facilitation of pilgrims.

Mr.Wazir besides thanking Mr.Kumar for taking quick descisions requested that certain more modifications are required to be made in the SOPs/guidelines issued by the government of J&K vis-à-vis Shrine Board and requested for getting those amended from the concerned vis-à-vis from their office which pertains to them. Mr.Wazir while speaking on the occasion said that as per SOP/guidelines 1900 pilgrims from within the UT and 100 from out side UT would be permitted per day to have darshans of Maa Vaishnodevi ji however he said that as emphasized the local pilgrims from within UT are not more and is evident from last two three days that this figure is between 200-300 pilgrims per day only and thus binding of 100 pilgrims from outside the UT should be removed and while making on line booking which is mandatory for doing Vaishnodevi Yatra the quota of pilgrims should be filled in such a way that it should be open for all and even requested for increasing the overall number of pilgrims and since there is sufficient infrastructure at Katra/Bhawan, the minimum figure should be increased from 2000 to 10,000 intially,and be increased gradually.

He said that when our demand of acceptance of pre- covid test done at their native places have been acceded though we request its validity to be 72 hours and now when pilgrims with pre-covid test can come ,there is hardly any need of binding of per day allowing of pilgrims for going to Darshans of Maa Vaishndevi ji because if all pilgrims going to Vaishnodevi ji would be Covid negative there would hardly be any risk of their going and that number should be made un limited. Mr.Kesar while speaking on the occasion said that final SOPs /guidelines should be advertised properly so that pilgrims coming from within and out side UT should have proper knowledge of those guidelines and Yatra as used to be regulated from Katra base camp. Mr.Virender Kesar while speaking on the occasion asked for allowing of Pithus and Helpers with proper Covid testing for the convenience of the pilgrims.He further asked for opening of SMVD Stadium for the Katra people with adhering of all Stadium related guidelines.

Mr.Kotwal and Mr.Nishant Sharma asked for completing of all pending works at Bhawan including Durga Bhawan because at this time since there is no Yatra and completion of works would be easy and best utlisation of this lean Yatra period should be made.Mr.Ramesh Kumar listened the delegation patiently and gave instructions for redressal of most of the suggestions raised on spot and assured sympathetic consideration of rest of points raised in the meeting in phased manner.