Katra, where pilgrims start their journey to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, is back to normal after a week of protests. The protests were against a new ropeway project in the Trikuta hills.
Shops and restaurants are open again, and traffic is moving, making it easier for visitors. Many people came to Katra on the first day of the year to visit the temple.
The shutdown began on December 25 and caused problems in Katra, which is usually very busy with visitors. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti organized the shutdown and said all activities would stop during this time.
On Tuesday night, the Jammu and Kashmir administration said they would release people arrested during the protests. They also set up a group to talk with the protesters.
Eighteen people, including some leaders, were released from jail around 1 am. When they got to Katra, many people celebrated their return.
The protest group, called the Samiti, started the shutdown on December 25. On December 27, they extended it for three more days. They wanted the ropeway project stopped and the arrested people freed.
Eight young people went on a hunger strike to demand the release of the detainees, including two leaders, Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand.
Last month, the Shrine Board announced plans to build a ropeway. This ropeway will help older people, children, and others who find it hard to walk the 13-km path to the temple.
The Rs 250-crore ropeway will connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, leading to the cave shrine in Reasi district.
According to Anshul Garg, CEO of the Shrine Board, about 94.83 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine in 2024.
