*People take out strong protest march
Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Dec 27: Fearing snatching of their livelihood and citing religious sentiments, hundreds of residents of Katra, including traders, mule operators and palanquin bearers, today observed complete bandh and took our foot-march on roads in Katra town to protest against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project, and connecting Expressway to Tarakote track directly and other burning issues of the holy town.
The locals including a large number of youth took out a protest march and later sat on protest dharna at Asia crossing on Jammu-Katra- Reasi main highway. The protestors said that they received the news of Bhoomi Pujan of the project by the Shrine Board authorities recently whereas in past, it was said that the local public will be taken into confidence before taking any step.
They pointed out that the project is “utmost sensitive” and it will harm the safeguards/ interests of local businesses at large. The protestors claimed that the Board came up with a Ropeway project that would not only snatch our livelihoods but also damage the fragile ecology of Trikuta hills.
Another protester said, “The Shrine Board has already ruined the pilgrimage by constructing Tarakote track at the cost of old traditional route of Ban Ganga. They want to mint money at the cost of religious sentiments of Hindus, but we would not allow it.”
“They (management) are least concerned about the religious sanctity of the yatra and livelihood of thousands of families dependent on it,” said another protestor.
Cutting across party lines, members of the BJP, Congress and other parties also joined the protesters. The locals fear that once constructed, the Ropeway project would bypass all religious places on the old traditional route.
According to local traders, there are 2,000 shops along the traditional track and two lakh people are directly or indirectly linked with the small businesses. The protestors also highlighted other issues including non- issuance of passes to Katra vehicles at Ban Toll Plaza as the toll plaza authorities indulge in non compliance to 20 km orders. The locals including Pithus raised issue of harassment to them by private company.
Later, a deputation of protestors met Shrine Board CEO and other Administrative officials and on their assurance the protest was called off in the evening.
It is pertinent to mention here that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has decided to come up with a Rs 250-crore ropeway project between Tarakote and Sanji Chhat.
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