The urgency for shifting the existing Katra helipad, serving chopper lifts of pilgrims from Serli to Sanjhichat, surfaced after a recent chopper crash that cost seven precious lives. The Governor, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, is seriously concerned about early shift of the helipad. The main reason is that of noise pollution towards which not only the people of the locality but the team of legislators, too, has drawn the attention of the Shrine Board. The surmise is that the crash that happened recently was caused by a bird. However, the report from civil aviation authorities is yet to come which will establish the real cause of the crash. Apart from noise pollution reason, it is also important to ensure foolproof security of the pilgrims to the holy shrine. The number of pilgrims desirous of requisitioning the services of the helicopter is increasing and pressure is felt for introducing more services. However, safety and security aspect has to be reinforced. It is in this context that the shifting of the helipad is desirable.
Two choices are at hand. One is that some uninhabited area along the Katra-Reasi road is selected for the purpose. The other option is to have a common helipad of Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine and Shiv Khori Shrine. As regards the first option, a difficulty has arisen. So far land in only Hut Panchayat has been identified for establishment of new helipad for chopper service for the pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi. But reports are that the people of Hut Panchayat on Katra-Reasi road are up in arms against land acquisition for the project. The people have made it clear to the Government that they would not give their land for the project at any cost on the ground that this land is only source of livelihood for them. As regards the second option, it is learnt that no consensus has emerged over common helipad of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Shiv Khori Shrine Board. Yes, we have the land acquisition Act under which the Government can acquire any land anywhere after paying compensation to the owners of the land. If Hut is the only stretch of land suitable for using as helipad in the region, then the authorities, be it the Shrine Board or the State Government agency, should in all cases eschew the option of invoking the Land Acquisition Act. There is a point in why the land owners are reluctant to hand over their land. It is a backward and economically weak region. Land is the only dependable source with the people to subsist upon. They have apprehensions that even after receiving the compensatory amount, it may not stand guarantee to their survival. In such a situation, the authorities should explore possibility of providing them guaranteed livelihood after their lands are acquired. This will convince them that their survival is no more endangered after the lands are taken away. Therefore, the ball is in the court of the Shrine Board and the Government. They are capable of finding a solution that is just and acceptable to the peasants.
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