Protest suspended till Dec 23 after assurance by local admn
Nishikant Khajuria
KATRA, Dec 18: Amid a massive protest demonstration by the local stakeholders, Katra observed a complete shutdown today against proposed Mata Vaishno Devi Ropeway Project from Tarakote to Sanji Chhat.
All shops and business establishment along the Mata Vaishno Devi track and in Katra town were seen closed while traditional services like palanquins, ponies, and pithoos for the pilgrims also remained suspended thus paralyzing the normal life.
The local administration had made heavy deployment of police to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the protest. Call for the shutdown was given by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti in protest against the proposed ropeway project connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat near the Shrine Bhawan.
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Claiming that the proposed ropeway would destroy their livelihood, the protesting local business owners and other stakeholders are demanding that the project be scrapped. They are also demanding that the Delhi-Katra Expressway should not be extended further beyond the town.
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A massive rally, backed by various organizations, was taken out by the Sangharsh Samiti from Shalimar Park to Asia Chowk where a sit-in demonstration was held.
Carrying placards and wearing black armbands, hundreds of locals, including shopkeepers, service providers, and town residents, joined the protest demonstration amid raising of slogans against the Shrine Board.
During the protest, former Minister Jugal Kishore Sharma termed the ropeway project a threat to the economic interests of Katra residents. He urged the authorities to prioritize the livelihoods of locals and ensure a dialogue with stakeholders before implementing the project.
Congress leader Jai Sid Bhalla criticized the administration for sidelining public concerns and warned that the ropeway project would centralize benefits, leaving local service providers at a disadvantage.
Bhupinder Singh, a senior Congress leader, emphasized the importance of traditional services like palanquins and ponies in supporting the pilgrimage economy. He urged the Government to protect these services rather than replace them with modern infrastructure. Happy Singh, leader of Yuva Rajput Sabha, extended full support to the Sangharsh Samiti, stating that the ropeway project undermines the cultural and economic identity of Katra.
Later, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Nidhi Malik, along with SSP Reasi, Paramvir Singh, held discussions with the Sangharsh Samiti members and other stakeholders. In a cordial meeting, the protestors presented two key demands: that the Ropeway Project be scrapped and the Expressway to Katra should not be extended further beyond the town.
Following the discussions, the Sangharsh Samiti announced that the protest would be temporarily suspended until December 23. However, at the same time, the Samiti has warned of resuming protests if their demands are not addressed within the stipulated timeframe.
It may be recalled that the Samiti had earlier also suspended its protests after assurances from the local administration for a solution by December 15, but the agitation resumed when no action was taken on their main demand.
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