Hundreds of pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district are facing significant hardships due to strike by local stakeholders. The unrest in katra is a response to the proposed ropeway project that has stirred concerns among shopkeepers and pony and palanquin owners in Katra.

Local stakeholders, including shopkeepers and laborers who depend on the pilgrimage economy, are protesting against the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s decision to implement a Rs 250-crore passenger ropeway project. The project, planned between Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre track to the shrine, aims to provide a safer and faster journey for pilgrims. However, it has raised fears of unemployment among service providers like pony and palanquin operators.

Background and Concerns

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had previously shelved the ropeway project due to similar protests but recently decided to move forward with its implementation. The project is expected to be completed within the next two years and is being hailed as a “game changer” for elderly and differently-abled pilgrims who find the trek challenging. However, local stakeholders argue that the ropeway will jeopardize their livelihoods unless a proper rehabilitation plan is introduced.

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Call for Rehabilitation

The government is urged to prioritize a robust rehabilitation plan for laborers and service providers who will be adversely affected by the ropeway project. This will ensure that the economic interests of local stakeholders are safeguarded while enhancing the pilgrimage experience for devotees.

What Lies Ahead

As the protests continue, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board faces the challenge of balancing infrastructure development with the welfare of the local community. If implemented effectively, the ropeway project could transform the pilgrimage while minimizing disruptions to traditional livelihoods.