KATRA: On the directions of Governor N.N Vohra, Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the CEO, J.K Singh formulated a major project to install 55 ultra filtration based water kiosks at identified locations along the tracks from Banganga to Bhawan to provide the pilgrims ultra filtered quality drinking water free of cost. Each of these water kiosks will have a capacity of dispensing 250 litres of ultra filtered water per hour.
In this context, the first such water kiosk installed by the Shrine Board was inaugurated by a pilgrim near Darshani Deodi here on the auspicious occasion of holy Navratras in the presence of J.K Singh, CEO of Shrine Board, Dr. M.K Kumar, Additional CEO, other officers and employees of the Board, prominent citizens and a large number of pilgrims. The pilgrims present on the occasion lauded the Shrine Board for starting this facility.
Giving details, CEO stated that, to begin with, 11 locations have been identified in the Banganga, Adhkuwari and Bhawan zones for installation of this facility in the first phase; the remaining 44 water kiosks are planned to be installed in the second phase. The cost of the entire project, including design, supply, installation, successful commissioning and five years maintenance of water vending machines is estimated at Rs. 10.06 crore.
“These water kiosks are automated water dispensing units which provide quality drinking water round the clock. The kiosks will be fitted with 5 touch-free taps, two of them providing chilled, two normal and one dispensing lukewarm ultra filtered water.
Paper glasses will also be available at every water kiosk. If pilgrims wish to fill their bottles, they can also do so without any charges. Each kiosk will be manned by a trained operator to assist the pilgrims. Once all the kiosks progressively become operational there will be hardly any need left for the pilgrims to buy water bottles,” he added.
