19-km Vaishno Devi track fenced

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, March 14

In a major initiative to ensure safety and security of pilgrims, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has fenced the 19-km track leading to the holy shrine nestled in the Trikuta Hills.

Following the directions of Governor NN Vohra, Chairman of the shrine board, the project was implemented from Katra to Bhawan. This included installation of shelters and fixing of steel wire mesh along the track.

“As per the Chairman’s earlier directions, the work on fixing eight-foot high wire mesh fencing along the edges of all tracks has been completed along the entire 19.2-km track at an expenditure of more than Rs 8.50 crore. This work has taken about five years to be completed,” said Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the shrine board.

Sahu said the main objective of project was to prevent pilgrims from accidentally falling down the slopes as well as to ensure that pilgrims don’t throw waste material along the hills.

The fencing work includes 2,750 m along Charan Paduka Marg, 4,175 m along Hathimatha Marg, 2,000 m along Panchhi Marg and Bhawan and 3,600 m along Bhairon Ghati Marg.

The other fencing work which has also been completed includes 5,400 m along Himkoti Marg, 205 m along Exit Track at Bhawan, 270 m along the approach to Sanjichhat Helipad and 800 m along Bypass Pony Track at Adhkuwari.