Jammu, June 19: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has extended nutritional assistance to tuberculosis (TB) patients under the ‘Nikshay Mitra’ initiative. On Friday, the TB officer of Jammu, Dr. Jyoti Jolly, received 270 nutrition-rich food baskets from SMVDSB, Katra, for TB patients in the Katra block and Reasi district.
This initiative is guided by Dr. Poonam Sethi, the Director of Health Services in Jammu. Its aim is to enhance patient care through nutritional support and improve treatment outcomes.
The NTCP Jammu team expressed gratitude to the Shrine Board management for this contribution, stating that it will aid TB patients in their treatment and recovery process. The nutritional baskets are expected to facilitate recovery, alleviate suffering, and enhance treatment results. This initiative also reflects the spirit of community participation in achieving the goal of a ‘TB-free Jammu and Kashmir.’
The State TB Cell Jammu appreciated SMVDSB’s contribution and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships in support of a ‘TB-free India.’
Established in August 1986, SMVDSB is a statutory autonomous body responsible for managing, operating, and administering the infrastructure surrounding the sacred cave temple of Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir serves as the ex-officio chairman of the board.
Among its primary responsibilities is managing the large influx of millions of pilgrims who undertake the 13-kilometer trek from Katra to the temple. The board operates heavily subsidized eateries that provide clean food, maintains accommodation facilities such as dormitories and rooms for pilgrims, and continuously improves access routes with all-weather queue complexes.
Pilgrims are advised to use official booking channels to arrange their travel safely and avoid fraudulent third-party agents. Obtaining a travel registration slip is mandatory for all pilgrims. While digital registration slips are available for free on the official SMVDSB portal, it is essential to collect a physical RFID access card upon arrival in Katra before starting the journey.
Helicopter services to Sanjhichhat from Katra are available, with high demand for bookings opening 60 days in advance at 10:00 AM daily. Currently, the round-trip ticket fare is set at ₹4,640 per passenger (one-way fare is ₹2,320).
Devotees can pre-book battery car rides, the Bhawan-Bhairav Valley ropeway, online rooms, and special prayer slots through the SMVDSB service guide platform. Common transport options like palkis, pitthus (porters), and ponies cannot be booked online and must be arranged at counters along the route.
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