Jammu, September 20 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday chaired a special meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at Lok Bhavan here to review the progress of the International Museum of Goddess at Katra and discuss key matters concerning the Shrine Board.
The meeting was attended by Shrine Board members Baleshwar Rai, Dr Ashok Bhan, Gunjan Rana, Dr K K Talwar, Kulbhushan Ahuja, Lalit Bhasin and Suresh Kumar Sharma. Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj and Sudha Murty participated virtually.
Advisor to the Museum Project Anjani Kumar Singh also attended the meeting virtually.
The meeting primarily reviewed progress on the International Museum of Goddess, a project envisaged to showcase the spiritual, cultural, artistic and civilisational heritage associated with the worship of Goddess.
The Shrine Board had accorded in-principle approval to the project at its 76th meeting held on February 8, 2026. Subsequently, a special meeting was convened at Lok Bhavan on May 21 to deliberate on the future course of action for taking the project forward in a time-bound manner.
The Board was informed that extensive research, documentation and field-based cultural studies are being undertaken to establish a strong scholarly foundation for the proposed museum.
Dedicated teams comprising scholars and researchers are visiting temples, Shakti Peethas and other important centres of Devi worship to document their history, mythology, traditions, rituals, architecture, cultural significance and associated heritage through field research, documentation and videography.
The Board ratified the engagement of an advisor for the Museum Project and deliberated on the preliminary concept design presented by M/s Batul Raj Mehta & Associates (BRMA) and M/s Tata Ecofirst Services Ltd.
Taking into account BRMA’s experience in museum concept design and Tata Ecofirst Services Ltd’s expertise in architectural, fabrication and construction consultancy, the Board approved the consortium of the two agencies for formulation of the preliminary concept design.
The Board also discussed the scope of work, estimated project cost, implementation schedule and consortium fee payable to the engaged firms.
Following detailed deliberations, the Board tentatively endorsed the initial projected cost and proposed consortium fee for the concept design services. It also approved in principle the proposed implementation schedule, envisaging completion of the project in approximately 38 months, subject to timely completion of prescribed milestones and fulfilment of statutory, administrative and other procedural requirements.
Keeping in view the significance and strategic importance of the project, Sinha directed that a dedicated project team be constituted under an experienced and competent officer with the requisite administrative and project-management expertise to ensure effective supervision, coordination and timely execution at all stages.
The Board also reviewed arrangements for licensing, operation, maintenance and management of nine premium cottages located near the Sports Stadium in Katra.
The fully furnished two-bedroom cottages, equipped with modern facilities, are intended to provide quality hospitality facilities. M/s J&K Heritage Resorts Pvt Ltd has been awarded the facility for its operation under the brand of ITC Hotels Ltd.
The Board further discussed the future management of the Shrine Hospital at Kakryal and decided to strengthen its institutional framework by entrusting its management and operations to SMVD Charitable Society.
The arrangement envisages clearly defined functional verticals for efficient management and delivery of healthcare services.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Sinha released a special postal cover titled “Global Symbol of Faith”, issued by the Department of Posts in honour of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine to promote and showcase its rich heritage and universal appeal.
Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Government, Culture Department; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; Alok Kumar Maurya, Additional CEO, SMVDSB; Brijesh Jha, Director (Academics & Research), Museum Project; Sagar Hanuman Singh, Chief Post Master General, J&K Circle; Shah Nawaz Hussain, Senior Superintendent of Post Office, Jammu; Rajeev Sharma, Superintendent of Post Office, Udhampur; Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA; Batul Raj Mehta and representatives of M/s BRMA and M/s Tata Ecofirst Services Ltd, besides senior officers of the Shrine Board, attended the meeting.(KNS)
