Pony owners slam NGT, welcome SC directive

Devinder Thakur

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Katra, November 24

The Supreme Court stayed the order of the National Green Tribunal for opening a new road for pilgrims today onwards and battery operated cars going to the Vaishno Devi cave shrine. The decision has been welcomed by the Katra pony owners.

Today, the pony owners gathered in thousands and celebrated the Supreme Court decision and staged protest against the NGT’s decision with regard to the Vaishno Devi shrine.

Talking to the media, Bhupinder Singh, leader of the Pony Operators’ Union at Katra, demanded that the NGT decision should be withdrawn immediately as it would cast a shadow over the livelihood of thousands of pony owners in Katra.

“We welcome and show our gratitude to the decision of the Supreme Court. The opening of the new route will affect the traditional route of travel and thousands of people will lose their livelihood,” Bhupinder Singh added.

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the National Green Tribunal’s order directing the opening of a new path to Vaishno Devi shrine for pedestrians and battery-operated cars from November 24.