Jammu: The ongoing 72-hour shutdown in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, against the proposed ropeway project at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has reached its second day.
The protests commenced on Wednesday, led by local stakeholders including shopkeepers, transporters, hoteliers, and pony and palki operators, who oppose the ropeway that would connect Tarakote to Sanjhi Chhat. The shutdown has resulted in a quiet town, with all businesses closed and roads mostly empty, leaving many pilgrims without essential services.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, spearheaded by leader Bhupinder Singh, organized the protest to voice public concerns over the government and the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s plans. Singh argued that the ropeway project poses a threat to the livelihoods of those who rely on traditional pilgrimage routes and criticized the administration for using force against demonstrators instead of engaging in dialogue.
The protest has garnered support from political figures, including BJP leader and former Minister Ajay Nanda, ex-Chairman of the Municipal Committee Katra Shashi Gupta, DDC Member Katra Nirmala Devi, and DDC Panthal Rajinder Mengi, who joined the protesters in Shalimar Park.
Opponents of the Rs 300 crore project claim that it will harm local businesses along the traditional route, which currently takes about 14 kilometers by foot. The proposed ropeway, intended to shorten the journey to just 2.5 kilometers, is seen as a potential threat to the economic stability of the community.