KATRA: Governor N N Vohra, Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board reviewed the functioning of the Tarakote Marg that was opened last fortnight.
This over 7 km long picturesque Marg, between Katra and Adhkuwari was opened to pilgrims less than two weeks ago and finally inaugurated by Prime Minister on May 19, 2018. It is a 7.5-km ramp style track that connects Banganga to Adhkuwari. This track, cost over Rs 80 crore, has been constructed for pilgrims who wish to walk to the shrine.
In the past 13 days during 13-25 May, nearly 20,000 on-foot pilgrims used Tarakote Marg for their journey to the Holy Cave Shrine and on their return journey to Katra. The shrine board has also constructed a 1.5-km link road to connect the existing Banganga-Adhkuwari track to the new Tarakote Marg.
Pilgrims taking rest under shelter shed on Tarakote Marg
Almost all pilgrims who have walked on this new track have expressed high satisfaction. They are particularly appreciative of the beautiful ambience, scenic view of the surrounding areas, gentle gradient of the 6 meter wide track, modern infrastructure and the logistics put in place by the Shrine Board for facilitation of the pilgrims. The floating fountains in the water body developed at Tarakote have become a special attraction for pilgrims, particularly the children. The colourful lights emanating from these fountains present a panoramic view during nights.
The Tarakote Marg has 6 food outlets which offer hygienic food at reasonable rates, 13 RO water points and 6 ultrafiltered water ATMs for providing filtered quality drinking water while more are being added, besides attractively designed shelter sheds have been installed for protection of pilgrims from the vagaries of weather and shooting stones. To ensure utmost sanitation and cleanliness on the track, mechanized cleaning is being done 24×7 through ride-on machines, the Toilet Blocks are being cleaned with pressure jet machines while vacuum cleaners are deployed for general cleaning.
Many pilgrims have preferred to walk on the specially constructed 1.5 km Link Road which takes off near Gulshan Langar for their onward journey on the Tarakote Marg.
