Vaishno Devi pilgrims, be warned! Katra closed in protest against the ropeway project; facilities will not be available today.

The Sangharsh Samiti has called for a Katra shutdown on Wednesday against the ropeway being constructed on the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra route in Katra. The committee has appealed to traders, horse riders, porters, and palanquin operators to make the shutdown successful.

However, hotels, guest houses, and dharamshalas have been excluded. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is constructing a ropeway from Tarakot to Sanjhi Chhat on the pilgrimage route for the convenience of the disabled, the elderly, and children. However, local residents allege that the ropeway will affect horse riders, porters, palanquin operators, and small traders serving on the pilgrimage route.

Private Shops Closed on the Yatra Route

After the Sangharsh Samiti meeting on Tuesday, officials stated that a decision on a peaceful shutdown of Katra will be taken. All private shops located along the pilgrimage route, from Banganga to the Milk Bar area on Bhawan Marg, will remain closed.

In addition, horse, porter, and palanquin operators have also been invited to join the shutdown. The committee states that this step has been taken to protect the livelihoods and interests of local people.

Families' livelihoods affected

The Sangharsh Samiti has alleged that the implementation of the Tarakot-Sanjhi Shat ropeway project will impact the livelihoods of thousands of local families. Horse riders, porters, palanquin operators, and small traders who have been providing services on the pilgrimage route for years will be the most affected by this project. The committee has clarified that if the high-level committee formed by the Lieutenant Governor does not take concrete action on their demands, the movement will expand further.

Appealing to devotees for cooperation, the committee stated that this movement is not against faith, but to protect local interests. It is noteworthy that the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra is one of the country's major pilgrimage sites, where thousands of devotees visit daily. The closure is likely to impact travel arrangements.