Here is a holiday gift for the pilgrims those love to visit Vaishno Devi. The much-awaited cable car project between Bhawan and Bhairav Ghati at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu was officially inaugurated yesterday by state Governor Satya Pal Malik.
Soon after the official e-inauguration, the cable car was opened for the pilgrims. The ropeway service is now going to make the yatra easier and comfortable for the devotees.
As per belief, the yatra to Vaishno Devi shrine is considered unfinished if devotees don’t pay their obeisance at the Bhairav Mandir.
Earlier, a trek of about 3.5 km between Bhawan to Bhairav Ghati was really tough for the pilgrims, mostly for aged persons and heart patients, because of the troublesome terrain.Now Pilgrims have no longer to climb the hill to reach the Bhairav Ghati.
Congratulating the shrine board and other agencies associated with the project during the inauguration ceremony Governor Malik said, ‘I hope the devotees now enjoy the cable car ride. I wish to congratulate all of them who are associated with the venture, for its successful completion. We must also be well prepared for an effective rescue plan in case there’s a mishap.
Earlier, the route used to take more than an hour and for many pilgrims were opted to abstain from the visit. But now with this cable car service, yatris can travel to Bhairav Ghati from Bhawan in just 3 minutes very easily with a minimal charge of only Rs 100 per ticket. One cable car is of the capacity of accommodating forty-five persons along with their luggages, at a time and it’s a double cable, jig-back system.
According to the shrine board,the project was carried out jointly by a Swiss company and an Indian company at a cost of Rs 850 crore and it took about four years to complete the cable car project..
“It is one of the unique cable car projects in the country planned to reduce travel distance and save time,” an official said adding, “Bhawan-Bhairo Ghati ropeway project is strategically planned for crowd management to help elders and people with heart problems.”
He added that at a time 40 to 45 passengers can board the cable car with their luggage and one-sided fair per person has been fixed at Rs 100. The cable car will cover the distance in around 3 minutes and will be operational only during day time.
At an average, daily 3000 to 4000 pilgrims can travel from Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati. Special seating arrangements for the handicapped besides medical care facilities are also availble in the cabins. Special ticketing counters also have been set up at Bhawan, officials said.
