Tarakote Marg gains popularity

Jammu, May 26

Governor NN Vohra, Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has reviewed the functioning of the Tarakote Marg with Anshul Garg, Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the board. The over 7-km-long picturesque track, between Katra and Adhkuwari, was opened to pilgrims less than two weeks ago. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 19.

In the past 13 days (May 13-25), nearly 20,000 on-foot pilgrims used the Tarakote Marg for their journey to the holy cave shrine and back to Katra.

Almost all pilgrims who have walked on the new track have expressed a great satisfaction. They are particularly appreciative of the beautiful ambience, scenic view of the surrounding areas, gentle gradient of the six-metre wide track, modern infrastructure and the logistics put in place by the shrine board for the pilgrims. The floating fountains in the water body developed at Tarakote have become a special attraction for pilgrims, particularly children. The lights at the fountains present a panoramic view during night.

The track has six food outlets which offer hygienic food at reasonable rates, 13 RO water points and six ultra-filtered water ATMs for providing quality drinking water while more are being added, besides attractively designed shelter sheds have been installed for the protection of pilgrims from the vagaries of weather and shooting stones. To ensure cleanliness on the track, mechanised cleaning is being done 24x7 through ride-on machines while the toilet blocks are being cleaned with pressure jet machines. Vacuum cleaners are being 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.

The Governor has asked the Additional CEO to send him daily reports, by 8 pm every day, on every aspect of the Tarakote Marg usage. —TNS