The article discusses a new development at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. The government has chosen a contractor to construct a ropeway project, worth approximately US$24 million, leading to the sacred shrine. The 1.5 mile ropeway will start from Tarakote near the Katra base camp and end at Sanjhichhat, a mere third of a mile from the revered shrine. This promises to significantly shorten the travel time to just six minutes, making it easier for visitors and saving them both time and effort¹. The shrine board has proposed to execute, operate, and maintain the new ropeway on a build-own-operate-transfer basis. The project has a concession period of 33 years, inclusive of a three-year construction phase. Over 9.1 million pilgrims had visited the holy temple in 2022, most of them undertaking a trek of nearly 7.5 miles from the base camp at Katra. The ropeway could offer a much cheaper and far less arduous journey for pilgrims to the temple.
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Soon Pilgrims Will Be Able to Reach Vaishno Devi Temple In Six Minutes …. https://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2024/03/12/soon-pilgrims-will-be-able-to-reach-vaishno-devi-temple-in-six-minutes/.