Katra: Katra, the base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, will observe a complete shutdown on Wednesday, December 18, in protest against the proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
The shutdown call was reportedly made during a meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, a group representing shopkeepers, pony operators and palanquin bearers. The Samiti has raised concerns about the economic impact of the ropeway, fearing it would reduce foot traffic in Katra’s markets and harm thousands of livelihoods tied to the pilgrimage.
Protesters allege threat to Katra’s economy
Critics of the project argue that the ropeway will bypass Katra, diverting pilgrims away from local businesses and service providers. The issue has sparked huge unrest and hundreds of residents staging a protest march through Katra’s main market on December 15. Participants in the rally, which began at Shalimar Park and ended at the bus stand, chanted slogans against the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Former minister Jugal Kishore Sharma, who joined the protest, also demanded the release of people detained last month following clashes between police and anti-ropeway demonstrators. “This project is not only economically harmful but also disregards our religious sentiments,” Sharma said. He said that protesters are not opposing the shrine board but the ropeway itself.
Samiti accuses administration of going back
Sharma further said that the administration has failed to honour assurances given last month to address the protesters’ demands. “We were told a solution would be provided by December 15, but no action has been taken. Instead, arrests have continued, and the FIR against protesters remains,” he said. The Samiti is seeking support from the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and the Jammu Bar Association for their cause.
President of the Vaishno Devi Trek Mazdoor Union, Bhupinder Singh Jamwal, announced that five members of the Samiti will begin a hunger strike during the shutdown on December 18. “We need a written assurance from either the lieutenant governor or the home minister that this ropeway project will not proceed,” Jamwal stated.
