Div Com reviews Machail Yatra arrangements, holds grievance redressal camp at Padder

STATE TIMES NEWS

KISHTWAR: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar on Friday reviewed the arrangements for Shree Machail Mata Yatra and also held a public grievances redressal camp at Padder.
Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav also participated in the door opening ceremony of Shree Machail Mata ji Temple, Paddar on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi Festival.
The ceremony also marked the shifting of the Murti of Goddess Machail Mata (Durga) from the house of local devotees Pehalwan Singh to the temple amid necessary rituals and a grand fair.
Div Com and Deputy Commissioner, along with other attendees including SSP Kishtwar Khalil Ahmed Poswal; ADC Inderjeet Singh Parihar; ASP Rajinder Singh; SDM Paddar Rishi Kumar Sharma , officials of Shree Machail Mata ji Yatra Cell, civil administration and police besides the pries and locals paid obeisance and offering at the shrine on the occasion.
Shri Machail Mata Yatra begins on July 25 every year but owing to the significant rush of devotees, the Yatra may begin earlier this year.
During the visit, the Div Com Jammu and Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar assessed the infrastructure gaps at Machail Bhawan and issued necessary directions to concerned departments/ authorities, including PHE, JPDCL, R&B, and PMGSY, to address the same before the upcoming Yatra.
Meanwhile, the Div Com also listened to the demands of locals who among others demanded repair of Kundhail Bridge and upgradation of infrastructure.
The Div Com said that work on Kundail bridge has already been tendered out and will be completed in a month’s time. He also assured the public that the will be completed in a stipulated time.
Pertinent to mention that earlier the other day, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, along with other district & sectoral officers, concerned executing officers, and Machail Mata Yatra Cell officials trekked about 26 Kms from Kundhail by foot to reach Shree Machail Mata Bhawan to personally assess all developmental projects and infrastructure needs that would ensure the convenience and safety of pilgrims en-route during the Yatra time.
Apart from this, Div Com Jammu attended Baisakhi Festival celebration organized by the District Administration Kishtwar in collaboration with JK Tourism, Indian Army, and BRO here at Gosi riverside of Atholi Paddar.
Div Com along with DC, SSP,ADDC and local PRIs inspected the stalls exhibiting local products and cuisines and other recreational activities like river rafting, beach volleyball, rapling, zip-line, traditional wrestling (Dangal), Tug of War, and day-night cricket matches which were organised as part of the Utsav.
Earlier, SSP Kishtwar Khalil Ahmed Poswal along with ADDC Kishtwar Sham Lal, DDC councilor Paddar, Hari Krishan Chouhan and other officers, flagged off the Bullet Bike Rally comprising the bikers of CRPF and Bike Club group Jammu from the Cliffhanger on the Paddar Sansari Road (Asia’s second most dangerous road).
The Vibrant Baisakhi Utsav was aimed to promote the local tradition and natural beauty of Paddar areas. The people of Paddar hope that the administration would conduct more such events in the future for the uplift and highlight the local culture and tourism potential of Paddar.