Vaishno Devi Yatra Latest Update: 1,281-Metre Long Ropeway From Katra to Ardhkuwari Soon

Jammu: In a bid to facilitate the devotees thronging the 700-year-old Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Jammu, the shrine board on Tuesday gave approval to the much awaited proposal to construct a 1,281-metre long ropeway between Katra and Aadhkuwari, reported news agency IANS. The proposal was approved in the 69th meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, presided over by the board Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Sharing details, Delhi-based shrine board member K K Sharma of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals Ltd told IANS the discussion on this proposal was going on for a long time. “In fact, for the first time in 2012, in the 51st meeting, the board had decided to conduct a study with RITES Ltd, a railway undertaking, to explore the possibilities of ropeway. RITES submitted its report to the board in 2017 which found it suitable for the construction of the ropeway between Katra and Ardhkuwari. Since then, this proposal was continuously pending, which was approved in the first meeting of the newly constituted board held on Tuesday itself.” Sharma said the construction would start soon.