Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 10: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has geared up to generate wayside facilities before re-opening about six kilometers long new alternate track between Katra to Adh Kunwari in the next few months to ease rush of pilgrim traffic on existing traditional track. The new track is now being given final touches before its opening for the pilgrims.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the track has almost been constructed while laying of tiles in some areas was on. The wayside facilities for the pilgrims were being generated and they could take few more months after which the track would be thrown open for the pilgrims of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
“The new track would reduce distance from Katra to Adh Kunwari by about one kilometer. It would also ensure smooth pilgrimage for the devotees as new track is quite comfortable as compared to the traditional track,” they said, adding the track has been constructed by the engineers to ensure smooth yatra for Mata Vaishno Devi devotees in comfortable manner. The wayside facilities were also being generated keeping in view requirements of all sections of pilgrims.
While construction of the new track was nearing completion, the pilgrims will have to wait for few more months for its re-opening as the Shrine Board wants to allow devotees on the track after all facilities are generated.
With the commissioning of new Katra-Adh Kunwari track, there will be alternate tracks to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan right from Katra to the cave shrine. An alternate track is already running from Adh-Kunwari to Bhawan. However, the new track from Adh Kunwari to Bhawan bypasses some historic and religious sites of Hathi Matha and Sanji Chat.
The poneywallahs are not allowed to use alternate track between Adh Kunwari to Bhawan. The Board, however, is yet to take decision on whether to allow poneywallahs on new track between Katra to Adh Kunwari.
Yet another significant project of the Shrine Board, the first of its kind in entire Jammu region-the ropeway between Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati, is also being commissioned by the Shrine Board in December this year if everything goes well. There is no ropeway in Jammu region so far and the Shrine Board would be the first to construct first ever passenger ropeway in Jammu region.
The ropeway will take passengers to Bhairon Ghati. A number of pilgrims miss the pilgrimage to Bhairon Ghati due to steep two kilometers ascent from the Bhawan. However, material ropeway construction from Siar Dabri in Katra to Vaishno Devi Bhawan will take at least 20 more months to complete.
The Board also proposed to commission 230 bedded Multi Specialty Hospital at Kakryal near holy town of Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi ji shrine by the end of this year. Entire model of running the hospital will be worked out by the Narayana Hrudayalaya Private Limited, Bangalore and Shrine Board in consultations with each other. Only last year, the Board had executed Concession Agreement with Bangalore company for operation of the hospital.
The Board has already decided that infrastructure will be generated for opening the Medical College and Nursing College in the Multi Specialty Hospital. The new hospital would have Super Specialties, Specialties, Outdoor Patient Department (OPD), admissions and Emergency among other facilities.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel