New 'palkis' to be launched to ferry Vaishno Devi pilgrims
What's the story
A totally redesigned 'Palki' or palanquin will soon be launched to ferry pilgrims to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir, said a report. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) is shortly launching entirely redesigned 'Palkis' for the much greater comfort of pilgrims and convenience of the Palkiwallahs, a senior official of SMVDSB said. Here's more.
The palkis
'Palkis' developed by team of IIT Bombay and NITIE
The highly comfortable, much lighter, sturdier, and aesthetically designed 'Palkis' have been developed by a team of the Industrial Design Centre of IIT Bombay and National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai, in collaboration with the Shrine Board. Presently, ten newly designed aluminum based Palkis have been received by the Shrine Board, and now these are plying on the track on a demonstration basis.
Palkis Launch
90 more Palkis will be available next month
At least 90 more Palkis will be available from next month, and the entire batch of 100 such new Palkis is scheduled to be formally launched by SMVDSB Chairman, the Shrine Board official said. The newly designed Palkis weigh 30 kg less compared to the traditional ones and provide very significant convenience to the Palkiwallahs to carry pilgrims.