"A major expansion plan of Vaishnodevi shrine has been set into motion. We have started work on the construction of a third tunnel as well," Additional Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board, Manoj Dewadi said.
The board has drawn a comprehensive plan to create state-of-the-art infrastructure to meet the future target of one crore pilgrim turnout annually.
"After construction of third tunnel at the shrine, the rush of devotees would end. Presently a devotee gets just five seconds to have a glimpse of pindies (goddess) inside the cave and some complain of not having 'darshan' at all," board officials said adding, "after the tunnel is operationalised, a devotee can get a time of over 30 seconds".
The third tunnel is being constructed between two already existing tunnels (in and out one) and the three tunnels would be shaped like an M.
"The pilgrims would enter through a two-lane central tunnel and would perform 'darshan' without any wait and leave from right and left aixs tunnels thereby cutting waiting time," they said.
Published 10 July 2009, 04:21 IST