The successful trial of additional track for Vaishno Devi was conducted today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate Tarakote Marg, an alternate seven kilometre track to the famous Vaishno Devi shrine on May 19.
The alternate track, which is six meters wide, has a comfortable gradient and very attractive wayside amenities.
“The Tarakote Marg provides pedestrian pilgrims a cleaner and scenic route which has two ‘bhojanalayas’, four view points and seven toilet blocks the have been provided with facilities for the convenience of elderly pilgrims and for the specially-abled,” the spokesperson said.
He said a medical unit with doctors, paramedics, medicines and equipment had been established to facilitate pilgrims round-the-clock.
The entire track is based on a ramp type design, without any steps and has an average and smooth gradient of one in 12 which, with interlocking antiskid tiles, makes it easier for walking, he said.
The track has been aesthetically landscaped and over 46,000 ornamental plants, herbs, flowering and avenue trees have been planted to improve the ambience and three floating fountains have been installed in water bodies along the track, he said.
