Tragedy strikes Mata Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage: Landslide claims lives, committee formed to investigate
Jammu, Aug 29: A devastating landslide near Adhkwari on the pilgrimage route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine on August 26 resulted in the tragic deaths of 35 people and left many more injured.
In response to the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as chairman of the Shri Mata Devi Shrine Board, has established a three-member committee to investigate the causes and recommend measures to prevent similar tragedies, official sources said.
The committee will be led by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Jal Shakti, with the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Jammu serving as its other members, they said.
Their mandate is to thoroughly examine the reasons for the landslide and assess the effectiveness of the immediate rescue and relief efforts, the source said adding the committee has also been tasked with proposing new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other necessary steps to enhance safety along the pilgrimage route.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the Shrine Board chairman within two weeks, sources added.