Will help in speedy movement, reduce decongestion
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 27: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has been coming up with separate tracks in Bhawan area. The pilgrims will proceed to Bhawan from one track and return from the other, thus, there will be smooth passage for the yatris.
Length of the Sky Walk will be 200 meters and width 2.5 meters. It will be 20 feet above the track level.
“An increased width of 5 meters has been kept in one stretch of 40 meters to provide seating arrangements for senior citizens and women while two emergency exit staircases have also been proposed at chainage 120 meters and 180 meters as per norms,” the reports said.
Entire project is being regularly monitored by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
The Board in its 69th meeting had approved construction of Sky Walk at an estimated cost of Rs 9,89,52,000 including taxes. It will overcome problem of multidirectional flow of yatra and a chaotic condition between Manokamna Bhawan and Gate No. 3.
The Sky Walk is also referred as Yatra Queue Management at Bhawan.
Stainless Steel Railing of 1200 mm high has been proposed on both sides of the Sky Walk with laminated panel glass railing. Wooden flooring is planned on the deck for comfortable movement of barefoot yatris.
The Shrine Board is also constructing two Waiting Halls with washroom facility along the Sky Walk to accommodate seating for around 150 yatris.
The Waiting Hall adjoining the Sky Walk shall facilitate as holding area for the yatris during morning and evening aarti and will have LED screens for live aarti and other yatra related information.
The deck of entire 200 meters stretch is at a uniform elevation of 92.5 meters above sea level to facilitate hassle free movement of yatris especially the old, infirm and children who earlier had to negotiate the steep gradients in the Bhawan area. Water ATMs will also be installed at the Sky Walk.
All yatris coming from Sanji Chat route via heli facility or through ponnies and those from Himkoti route via battery operated vehicles and palkies shall be able to use Sky Walk to reach Bhawan area. Yatra movement on the Sky Walk will be controlled by the dedicated Enforcement Sahayaks.
The Sky Walk will help in speedy movement of yatra and thus the average time spent by a yatri in Bhawan area is expected to be reduced. This will held in enabling decongestion and better crowd management at Bhawan during peak periods.
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