The Vaishno Devi Ropeway, a new cable car system connecting the base camp of Katra to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, is set to revolutionize the pilgrimage experience for millions of devotees. The Rs 250 crore project, which is expected to cut travel time from the current six hours to just six minutes, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2021. Here’s everything you need to know about the Vaishno Devi Ropeway.
The Vaishno Devi shrine, located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India. Each year, millions of devotees make the journey to the shrine, which is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Vaishno Devi. Until now, visitors to the shrine have had to undertake a challenging six-hour trek up steep mountainside paths to reach the temple. However, the new ropeway system is set to change all that.
The Vaishno Devi Ropeway consists of two cable car lines, each with a capacity of 800 passengers per hour. The first line connects the base camp at Katra to the Bhawan, which is the main shrine complex. The second line connects the Bhawan to the Bhairon Temple, which is situated at a higher altitude. The total length of the ropeway is around 2.5 km, and the journey time is expected to be just six minutes.
The new ropeway system is expected to have a major impact on the pilgrimage experience for visitors to the Vaishno Devi shrine. It will make the journey much faster and more comfortable, and is likely to attract many more visitors to the shrine. The project is also expected to create new job opportunities and boost the local economy in the region.
