Weeklong shutdown in Katra ends as admn agrees to put off ropeway work

Normalcy returned to Katra town after the locals protesting for the past seven days against a proposed ropeway to the Vaishno Devi shrine called off their agitation as the administration assured that work on the project will be put on hold. Eighteen people detained by police during the protests were also released, sparking overnight celebrations in the holy town.

“All shops, restaurants, and business establishments reopened after a week-long closure due to the shutdown, while traffic movement was also restored, bringing much relief to the pilgrims,” an official said.

With the return of normalcy, hundreds of pilgrims thronged the holy town on the first day of the year to pay obeisance at the cave shrine, with long serpentine queues seen at the entry points in Katra and Bhawan. “We are very happy that the bandh has ended. It was causing huge inconvenience to us. We have come here to pay obeisance on the first day of the New Year,” said a devotee.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, spearheading the protests, announced to call off the protests after its leaders met the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Anand Jain at Katra.

On Tuesday night, the Jammu and Kashmir administration announced the release of the detainees and constituted a four-member committee to hold talks with the protesting civil society members.

“Eighteen detained individuals, including some leaders, were released at around 1 am from Reasi and Udhampur jails. They arrived in Katra to jubilant celebrations, where hundreds of people welcomed them,” a spokesperson for the Samiti said.

Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said the committee will hold talks with the civil society and local stakeholders regarding the ropeway project. Kumar said work on the ropeway will be put on hold until the committee concludes its discussions. “The committee will soon hold a meeting with all stakeholders,” Kumar said.

Katra was witnessing a shutdown since December 25 against the ropeway project, which the shopkeepers and other stakeholders believe will snatch away their livelihood as it will bypass their businesses.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) had announced to install a ropeway to facilitate access to the temple for those who find it challenging to climb the 13-km-long track to the cave shrine. The project will connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, leading to the cave shrine.