At the world famous shrine of Mata Vaishnno Devi in Jammu, the newly constructed Banganga-ArdhKunwari track, named Tarakote Marg, is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming one day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on May 19, along with various other projects in Jammu, Ladakh and Srinagar.

The track has been completed in record time of 5 years, overcoming several hurdles. However, the track is a bit lengthy than previous one, but its gradient has been kept low so that pilgrims don’t get tired.

Ahead of the formal inauguration, J&K Governor NN Vohra-the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, travelled on the 7-km Tarakote Marg and reviewed its preparedness for operations.

As per Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) officials, the track has been designed after keeping health and safety of devotes as priority. Almost entire route has been covered with high quality fiber and steel sheets, to make it all weather route.

The new route has parks and gardens on the way where various varieties of flower will enthrall the coming devotes. Water bodies are set up with colorful lights and fountains installed to entertain pilgrims. After every 200 meters there are water points so that pilgrims could get purified water without spending a penny. Toilets and public conveniences are also available at regular intervals besides benches and sheds for taking rest.

The Board has opened two restaurants, which would provide 100 percent vegetarian food. There is also adequate number of tea, coffee and cold-drink points.

Work on the track was started in year 2013, but its opening became a necessity after National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked the Shrine Board to put cap on the number of pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi, located between Trikuta Hills at the height of 5200 feet from sea level. It had asked the Board to immediately open the new 7 kilometers Banganga-AdhKunwari, Tarakota Marg, exclusively for the use of pedestrians.

The NGT also directed that no horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route to the shrine and these animals shall be removed slowly from the old path as well.