DW BUREAU / Naina Devi

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday announced that the state government will make all out efforts to start Ropeway between Sri Anandpur Sahib and Sri Naina Devi ji to facilitate the pilgrims.

Interacting with the media persons after paying obeisance at Sri Naina Devi ji temple, the Chief Minister said that he would request his Himachal Pradesh counterpart to formulate a joint action group comprising officers to expedite this project in larger public interest.

He envisioned that ropeway would facilitate lakhs of devotees visiting these two historic and religious sites in a smooth and hassle-free manner adding he bemoaned that the project never became reality despite lip service by

previous regimes.

He said that Sri Anandpur Sahib in Punjab and Sri Naina Devi ji in Himachal Pradesh were famous pilgrim destinations visited by devotees from across the globe and this ropeway will facilitate pilgrims to visit these two shrines located quite far from each other, with hilly terrain compounding the problems of the devotees.

Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing Navratras festival, the Chief Minister paid obeisance at Shaktipeeth Sri Mata Naina Devi ji and prayed for the progress of the state and prosperity of its people. Extending good wishes to the people on the festival of Navratras, he said that this festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demons, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he has come here on this sacred land to seek the blessings of Maa Durga for wiping the demon of drugs from the state of Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that these are the holy days when festivity and devotion is in air as devotees worship Goddess Durga in her various forms. He said that it is a time for spiritual reflection, fasting, prayers and seeking blessings for health, prosperity and well-being.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had paid obeisance at the revered Shakti Peeth to seek blessings from Maa Durga to serve the state more zealously and diligently.

The Chief Minister sought blessings of almighty to give enormous strength to him for serving the people of state with all humility and dedication.

He offered prayers to seek Mata Rani's blessings to serve the people of the state regardless of caste, colour, creed and religion to create a harmonious society. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the ethos of love, brotherhood and harmony in the society will be maintained at every cost and will ever remain the top priority of his government.

The Chief Minister thanked Mata Rani for bestowing upon him the responsibility to serve the people of Punjab with sincerity, dedication and commitment to fulfill their aspirations.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it was a unique experience for him to visit this holy shrine, which is a fountainhead of inspiration and positivity for millions of people from around the world.

He said by the God's grace he is leaving no stone unturned to come up to the expectations of people and top priority is being accorded by the government to implement pro-people and development oriented policies.

(editor@dailyworld.in)