Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate Tarakote Marg, an alternate seven kilometre track to the famous Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, next week, an official said on Tuesday.
“At the request of Governor NN Vohra, Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), prime minister has very kindly agreed to formally inaugurate the Tarakote Marg on May 19,” an official spokesperson said. The board had approved in February 2011 Vohra’s proposal to construct an alternate track between Banganga and Adhkuwari, to decongest the rush of pilgrims on the existing six km track.
The CEO of the board Umang Narula said the new track would be opened to pilgrims from the morning of May 13.
The alternate track, which is six meters wide, has a comfortable gradient and very attractive wayside amenities. “The Tarakote Marg provides pedestrian pilgrims a cleaner and scenic route which has two ‘bhojanalayas’, four view points and seven toilet blocks the have been provided with facilities for the convenience of elderly pilgrims and for the specially-abled,” the spokesperson said.
He said a medical unit with doctors, paramedics, medicines and equipment had been established to facilitate pilgrims round-the-clock.