LG opens Kheer Bhawani Yatri Bhawan, Yatra Control Hub

Srinagar, Jun 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday inaugurated YatriBhawan at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Tulmulla, Ganderbal.

After dedicating the facilities to the public, LG Sinha said that the new YatriBhawan will substantially improve the pilgrimage experience at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple by providing safe, hygienic, and comfortable accommodation facilities.

Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla is one of the most revered shrines in Jammu Kashmir.

Located approximately 25 km from Srinagar and 5 km from Ganderbal town, the shrine attracts a large number of devotees throughout the year, particularly during the annual Mela Kheer Bhawani and Jyeshtha Ashtami, when thousands of pilgrims, including members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, visit the temple.

In 2023, several delegations met the LG to request a YatriBhawan.

Subsequently, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj through Rural Engineering Wing (REW) designed the plan and LG Sinha laid the foundation stone in 2024.

“With Mata Kheer Bhawani’s blessing, I had laid the foundation stone on Jyeshtha Ashtami in 2024. The project will enhance the capacity of the shrine to host pilgrims visiting from India and abroad. My goal has been to provide the Kashmiri Pandit community visiting the shrine with excellent facilities and a serene spiritual experience,” he said.

The facility constructed within the temple premises at a cost of Rs 3.85 crore comprises a G+II RCC framed structure with a plinth area of 3885 sqft and is designed to accommodate approximately 800-900 pilgrims through floor bedding arrangements.

Earlier, LG Sinha paid obeisance at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple and prayed for peace, prosperity and the well-being of all.

He also inaugurated District Emergency Operations Centre and Amarnathji Yatra Control Room at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Ganderbal.

The LG said that these facilities would ensure a smooth and seamless pilgrimage experience for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, briefed LG Sinha on the key features of the new facility.

The centre pools CCTV feeds from across Ganderbal district installed by District Administration, Police and other Security forces, for real-time monitoring at a single centralised location.

The facility is backed by a round-the-clock emergency citizen helpline to provide immediate assistance and crisis mitigation.

In order to ensure a safe and seamless pilgrimage, the Emergency Operations Centre also integrates CCTV Feeds from Baltal Base Camp, approach roads leading uptoBaltal Base Camp, Parking Areas in Baltal Base Camp, Sonamarg and Manigam Transit Camp.

It would be instrumental in planning and decision-making during the annual Amarnath Yatra.