Shiv Sena joins protest against Katra Ropeway Project

Katra: On the third day of a four-day strike against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, including State Chief Manish Sahni, joined local stakeholders in a protest at the Holy Banganga Deori and Main Bazar. The strike has led to shop closures along the Yatra path and disruptions in the Pitthu-Palki services.

Sahni expressed concerns that the project, which is planned on the Tarakot route, could harm the sanctity of the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Yatra. He stated that pilgrims using the ropeway would miss out on key religious sites such as the Holy Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Ardhkunwari. He also raised fears that the livelihood of thousands of shopkeepers, porters, and horse service providers along the traditional pilgrimage route would be severely impacted by the new development.

While Sahni clarified that his party was not against development, he emphasized that the project should not come at the cost of religious faith, employment, and local businesses. He called on the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, who also serves as the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, to cancel the ropeway project and reallocate the Rs 250 crore budgeted for it towards the development of Katra and surrounding temples instead.