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Jammu: Hundreds of people gathered in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra town on Tuesday to protest against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project. The protesters warned that they would restart their chain hunger strike if the plan was not cancelled.
Residents of Katra, which serves as the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, have been opposing the Rs 250-crore ropeway project. The plan aims to connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre steep route leading to the holy cave shrine in Reasi district.
Locals argue that the project would hurt the livelihoods of over 60,000 families, including hoteliers, shopkeepers, pony owners, and daily-wage workers who depend on the pilgrimage route for their income.
On Tuesday, many residents — especially young people — sat on a dharna (sit-in protest) carrying pictures of Mata Vaishno Devi and banners reading “No to Ropeway.” They shouted slogans demanding that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board stop the ropeway project immediately.
“We are protesting against this ropeway project and will not allow it to happen here,” said Sahil Singh, one of the protestors, while speaking to reporters in Katra. Singh added that the agitation would continue until the government completely cancels the project.
“We have the support of the people of Katra, the Sangharsh Samiti, Yuva Rajput Sabha, and the Chamber of Commerce. We have met them all, and they have promised to stand with us in our protest,” Singh said. He further mentioned that the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu had assured them 10 months ago that a decision on the ropeway would be made only after consulting local residents.
“But the administration has broken its promise,” another protestor said. “That is why we are back on the streets. Today, we have started our hunger strike, and tomorrow, more people will join us. The administration must understand how serious this issue is and take action to meet our demands.”
In December last year, Katra had witnessed a week-long complete shutdown and widespread protests, along with a chain hunger strike organized by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, demanding that the ropeway project be dropped.
During those protests, 18 people were detained and later released on January 1. Following this, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had formed a committee to hold talks with all concerned groups and find a solution to the dispute.
