The ropeway was inaugurated by Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday. The ropeway project works had been undertaken by the joint venture of Garaventa AG, Switzerland and Damodar Ropeways Construction Co (P) Ltd, Kolkata, under the supervision of RITES.
The Bhairon Ghati which is situated only 1.5 kms away from the temple has an extremely tough gradient which many pilgrams find difficult to climb. As per some reports, only 30-40 per cent of the pilgrims who visit the Vaishnodevi shrine head towards the Bhairon Nath temple to pay obeisance.
However, with the launch of Bhawan-Bhairon ropeway project, passengers can reach the temple in just five minutes. A ride on the ropeway has been priced very economically at Rs 100 per person so that maximum pilgrims can benefit. Trial runs were conducted on Sunday and reports suggest that the temple witnessed over 3000 more people than the average footfall that it usually receives.
The Bhawan-Bhairon Passenger Ropeway Project has been executed by a consortium of Garaventa AG, Switzerland and Damodar Ropeways Construction Co. (P) Ltd., Kolkata under the consultancy and overall supervision of RITES Ltd.
The electro-mechanical components and cabins of the ropeway have been imported from Switzerland. The passenger ropeway system has been fully equipped with all safety norms as per relevant standards and codes.
The disaster management task force (DMTF) of the shrine board had organised rescue and evacuation drills. The director security and enforcement Suresh Sharma, along with a platoon of 'sahayaks' and a section of SDRF team from Reasi, participated in the rescue drills last week.