Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday dismissed claims that the Cabinet or the Administrative Council had approved the Katra–Mata Vaishno Devi ropeway project, stating that the decision was taken by the Lieutenant Governor in September 2024, before the elected government assumed office.
Addressing the Legislative Assembly, Omar said he had personally verified the official records to clear the confusion surrounding the project’s approval.
“I checked the files myself. The Cabinet did not approve this project, nor was it cleared by the Administrative Council. The approval was granted by the Lieutenant Governor before the formation of this government,” he said.
The Chief Minister said misinformation had led to unnecessary controversy inside and outside the House and referred to the dramatic developments in the Assembly a day earlier when BJP MLA Baldev Raj Sharma claimed Cabinet approval and said he would resign if proven wrong.
The issue triggered sharp exchanges on Monday during the Budget discussion after Independent MLA Dr Rameshwar Singh highlighted sustained protests by residents, traders and hoteliers of Katra opposing the ropeway project and demanded that it be shelved in the larger interest of the region.
Countering him, BJP MLA Baldev Sharma asserted that the project was part of efforts to enhance facilities for pilgrims and claimed it had the backing of the present government.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, stated that no Cabinet meeting had ever sanctioned the project.