The town of Katra has come to a halt with a three-day strike to oppose the proposed construction of a ropeway connecting Tarakote Marg to Sanjhi Chhat. The protest, spearheaded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti and backed by a coalition of pony owners, shopkeepers, and local transport workers, has disrupted everyday life and left many pilgrims in distress.
The protesters contend that the ropeway project will divert pilgrims away from the traditional footpath route, threatening the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the pilgrimage for their income. According to Bhupinder Singh, a representative of the Sangharsh Samiti, the project disregards local concerns. “The authorities are making decisions without considering how this will affect families who have served pilgrims for generations,” Singh stated.
The situation intensified when police stopped an unauthorised march organized by the protesters. Minor scuffles broke out as law enforcement resorted to a light baton charge to disperse the gathering. Seventeen individuals were detained, six of whom have since started a hunger strike while in custody, demanding their grievances be addressed.
Adding to the protest’s momentum, local political leaders have voiced their support. Former ministers Ajay Nanda and Jugal Kishore Sharma joined the demonstrations, emphasizing the project’s adverse effects on local businesses. Sharma criticized the Shrine Board for its alleged insensitivity, saying, “Dialogue is essential to resolve this impasse. Force is not the answer.”
Meanwhile, pilgrims heading to the Vaishno Devi shrine are bearing the brunt of the shutdown. With shops, restaurants, and transportation services non-operational, many visitors are struggling to find food, shelter, and other basic amenities.
Protesters have reiterated their demand for the project to be scrapped entirely, citing its potential to undermine the economic stability of the region. Despite repeated efforts to raise these concerns with the authorities in the past, no resolution has been reached, deepening the sense of discontent among residents.