CCTVs installed in Vaishno Devi shrine
By IANSTuesday, July 27, 2010
JAMMU - More than 20 close circuit TV cameras (CCTVs) have been installed in the Vaishno Devi shrine and along the route following terror threats, an official said Tuesday.
The exercise of installing the CCTVs was completed Monday evening, said an official of the Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which manages affairs of the Hindu shrine nestled in foothills of Himalayas, about 60 km from here.
“These measures had become necessary as there were threats and constant reports of terrorists attempting to cause trouble,” a police officer told IANS.
“Moreover, there has been a heavy rush of pilgrims, so physical scanning needs to be supplemented by the electronic gadgets,” the police officer said.
The new CCTVs were installed at Katra, the base camp of the shrine, about 45 km north of Jammu, from where the 13 km track to the shrine - located at the height of 5,200 feet - starts.
Most pilgrims prefer climbing the track. Few other CCTVs have been installed at points where there is a convergence of crowd like Ban Ganga, Audhkuwari, Saanji Chaat, enroute to the shrine. The pilgrims stop at these points to take rest or a meal.
The shrine attracts nearly eight million pilgrims annually.
