Katra/Jammu, Dec 18: A shutdown took place in Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday in response to the proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, which leads to the cave shrine in Reasi district.
The Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, representing local business owners, including shopkeepers, pony operators, and palanquin bearers, organized a protest march, claiming the ropeway would jeopardize their livelihoods.
They demanded the project be abandoned. Last month, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced plans for the ropeway to help elderly individuals, children, and others who struggle with the 13-kilometer trek to the shrine. The shutdown on Wednesday interrupted daily life in the town, leading to less vehicular movement on the roads.
A significant rally, supported by various organizations, was conducted by the Samiti from Shalimar Park to oppose the ropeway project. Protestors, donning black armbands and carrying placards, chanted slogans against the shrine board and the proposal. Bhupinder Singh Jamwal, president of the Vaishno Devi Trek Mazdoor Union, stated, “The Sangharsh Samiti is advocating for our rights, as the board threatens the livelihoods of over 60,000 families.
Hoteliers, shopkeepers, pony operators, laborers, and transporters have united against this project. We demand it be abandoned.” He emphasized the solidarity of all political and social groups in Jammu and Kashmir in support of the protest.
“We will stand up for our rights. We will not accept this,” Jamwal said. The group’s leaders announced that five of their members would go on a hunger strike to seek a written assurance from the lieutenant governor or home minister to cancel the ropeway project.
Former minister Jugal Kishore Sharma, who participated in the rally, criticized the government for not meeting its promise to resolve the issue by December 15. The Samiti had previously paused its protests after receiving assurances from local officials, but the demonstrations resumed when the district administration failed to take action.
They were promised a solution by December 15, but nothing has happened,” Sharma noted, adding, “We’re not against the shrine board, but the poorly thought-out project that could endanger both our livelihoods and our religious beliefs.”
