One lakh pilgrims use scenic Tarakote Marg in less than a month of its opening

Less than a month after its opening, Tarakote Marg, the newly constructed serpentine track to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi, has been thronged by over one lakh pilgrims.

"In less than a month, over one lakh on-foot pilgrims have used the scenic Tarakote Marg for their journey to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi and on their return journey to Katra", a spokesman of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDB) said.

The 7-km long Tarakote Marg between Katra and Adhkuwari was opened to the pilgrims on 13th May and formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 19 this year.

Based on the feedback received from the pilgrims, the process has been initiated to set up three additional kiosks on the Tarakote Marg to make available hot and cold beverages to pilgrims at short stretches, the spokesman said.

The Tarakote Marg already has six food outlets which offer hygienic food at reasonable rates, 13 RO water points and six ultra filtered water ATMs for providing drinking water, he said.

Mechanized cleaning is being done round the clock through ride-on machines, the toilet blocks are being cleaned with pressure jet machines while vacuum cleaners were deployed for general cleaning, the spokesman said.

On the directions of Governor N N Vohra, Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, potted plants have been placed at various locations along the Marg.

Officials said the Tarakote Marg has significantly helped in decongestion of the existing track.