Landslide Threat at Mata Vaishno Devi; Hotels, Dharamshalas Ordered Vacated

Katra (The Uttam Hindu)- After the recent landslide in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, the administration has issued an order to vacate hotels and Dharamshalas. The administration has ordered to vacate commercial establishments in Katra due to the threat of landslide.

The office of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Katra of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir issued this order on Sunday. It said that due to heavy rains and bad weather in recent days in Katra sub-division, massive landslides have occurred in Kadamal near Balini Bridge and Shani Temple. Along with this, roads have also collapsed in some places. This has increased the risk of landslides and damage in the area in the future.

Katra Sub Divisional Magistrate Piyush Dhotra has issued an order to vacate all commercial establishments (such as hotels, dharamshalas, etc.) located in the area from Balini Bridge to Darshani Deorhi and Balini Bridge to Asia Chowk with immediate effect, keeping in mind the safety of devotees visiting Katra for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra. The order has been issued under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Safety Code, 2023. According to the order, these establishments will be kept vacant till a safety certificate is obtained from the Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B), Katra. The step has been taken to maintain the safety of devotees and public order in the area, as the area has become vulnerable to landslides.

The order states that it was not possible to give prior notice in view of the seriousness of the situation, so this order has been issued unilaterally. Violation of this order will attract strict punitive action under Section 223 of the Indian Justice Code, 2023. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate has appealed to all concerned parties to follow this order and cooperate in ensuring the safety of the devotees.