Katra:- Workers involved in horse and palanquin services along the old Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route, along with local shopkeepers, have staged a protest against the proposed ropeway project. The protesters fear that the new infrastructure will adversely affect their livelihoods.In a show of solidarity, businesses along the pilgrimage route have also announced a 72-hour shutdown, disrupting the services and causing inconvenience to pilgrims.
The horse and palanquin services, which have been a traditional part of the pilgrimage, have been significantly impacted by the protest.The protesters, in a procession, marched through the main market of Katra and staged a sit-in at the main square, raising slogans against the ropeway project.
They expressed their deep-rooted belief in the traditional pilgrimage route and argued that the ropeway, starting from Tarakot, would diminish the spiritual significance of the route.The workers, many of whom have been serving pilgrims for generations, fear that their livelihood will be jeopardized if the ropeway project is implemented. They have appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Manoj Sinha, to reconsider the project, considering the plight of the poor.
In response, the CEO of the Shrine Board, Anshul Garg, clarified that the decision to install the ropeway was taken to provide better facilities for the pilgrims. He further added that a committee has been formed under the leadership of the Divisional Commissioner to address the concerns of the local people and their employment. He assured that a track will be constructed to connect the old pilgrimage route with the Tarakot ropeway.
