In order to ensure better crowd management especially during peak rush hours, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Wednesday launched a Radio Frequency Identification Card (RFID) facility for pilgrims replacing the existing yatra slip format.
The Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Shrine Board, rolled out a new RFID system for the convenience of the passengers on the occasion of 37 th foundation day celebrations of the Shrine board.
Taking another significant welfare step for the employees of the Shrine Board, the Lt Governor announced hardship allowance for 1450 SMVDSB employees posted at Higher Altitude.
The work on Spiritual Theme Park is likely to commence before the auspicious occasion of Navratras.
The new RFID based system will ensure seamless access control with minimal hassle to devotees. For better crowd management and tracking of the Yatries, 29 counters and control rooms have been set up in Katra and verification counters have been set up at 7 locations on the track.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also laid the foundation stone of various projects of Shrine Board and Gurukul, including a new hostel for the expansion of Gurukul and accommodation facilities for Shrine Board’s employees at Ardhkuwari and Banganga.
Every year lakhs of pilgrims from all over the country pay obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine.
Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, said trials were conducted before the formal launch of the RFID services along the 13 km long serpentine trek. The pilgrims reaching the Katra base camp have already started receiving the RFID cards.
In case of any exigency the pilgrims having RFID cards can be easily tracked down along the entire yatra trek.
The pilgrims are supposed to return the RFID card after performing the pilgrimage at the designated counters.