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In the small town of Katra, situated at the foot of the Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, a significant shutdown has been in effect for three consecutive days. This move, initiated by the Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti (VDSS), has adversely impacted the daily lives of pilgrims venturing to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine. The cause of this unrest stems from the local community's strong opposition to a proposed ₹250-crore ropeway project intended to ease the journey for visitors, particularly the elderly, to the sacred site. The project, designed to link Tarakote Marg with Sanji Chhat, has sparked controversy, casting a shadow over the town’s economy and the traditional pilgrimage experience.
The shutdown, initially declared for a limited period, has been extended by an additional 72 hours, following a decision by VDSS leaders, including former legislator and member Jugal Sharma. This extension translates into heightened difficulties for devotees, who find themselves stranded with limited access to basic necessities and transport services. "The administration should release 18 VDSS leaders arrested on the first day of shutdown on December 25," Sharma stated, underlining the community's demands for the project's cancellation and the release of the detained protesters.
The ropeway project, while aimed at enhancing accessibility to the shrine, has been met with fierce resistance from various quarters of Katra's population. Local businessmen, pony owners, laborers, and hotel owners argue that the initiative threatens the essence of the pilgrimage, intertwining religious sentiment with physical endeavor. According to one VDSS leader, "Religious sentiment is attached with Vaishno Devi shrine. By constructing a ropeway, the shrine board is going to hurt the religious sentiments and it will not be allowed." The project is feared to undermine the local economy, jeopardizing the livelihoods of approximately 50,000 residents dependent on the shrine's visitors for their income.
The impact of the protest is palpable throughout Katra, with businesses shuttered, transport halted, and streets adorned with black flags as symbols of dissent. Pilgrims, like Rajesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, find themselves in a challenging situation, deprived of essential services such as food, water, and local transport. "No paliki or ponywala, or labourers are available. Due to the strike, the pilgrims, especially elderly persons, visiting the shrine are facing troubles," Kumar expressed, highlighting the predicament faced by visitors amid the ongoing dispute.
As Katra grapples with this crisis, the future of the ropeway project hangs in the balance. The standoff not only reflects the community's staunch protection of their cultural and economic interests but also underscores the complexities involved in balancing development with tradition. The extension of the shutdown underscores the depth of local resistance and the challenges faced by both the authorities and the pilgrims in navigating this contentious issue.
