Highlights

  • Protests continue against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project
  • Local businesses oppose ropeway, citing livelihood threats
  • Katra shutdown disrupts pilgrim access, ropeway project under scrutiny

Latest news

Guru Dutt centenary brings unseen family memories

Guru Dutt centenary brings unseen family memories

Timeless Cinematic Legacy of Guru Dutt

Timeless Cinematic Legacy of Guru Dutt

Guru Dutt film retrospective begins August 8

Guru Dutt film retrospective begins August 8

Virat Kohli jokes about his test retirement at Yuvraj’s fundraiser

Virat Kohli jokes about his test retirement at Yuvraj’s fundraiser

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa expecting first child

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa expecting first child

OnePlus Nord CE5 Review: Not flashy, but it seriously delivers

OnePlus Nord CE5 Review: Not flashy, but it seriously delivers

Shubhanshu Shukla grows Moong and Methi in space lab

Shubhanshu Shukla grows Moong and Methi in space lab

Global stock market indices: How the world markets performed today - 09 July 2025

Global stock market indices: How the world markets performed today - 09 July 2025

J&K: Shutdown in Katra against ropeway project enters third day

The proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project will connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, leading to the cave shrine in Reasi district.

J&K: Shutdown in Katra against ropeway project enters third day

The shutdown in Katra against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project entered its third day on Friday, with more people sitting on the hunger strike to demand the release of those detained during earlier demonstrations.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti called for a 72-hour shutdown, which began on Wednesday. It announced that all activities in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra would remain suspended during the bandh.

Women and children have now joined the six protesters who began a hunger strike on Wednesday night, demanding the release of 18 Samiti members detained during a protest march against the project earlier that day.

Last month, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board decided to move forward with a Rs 250-crore passenger ropeway project between Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre track to the shrine after shelving the project in the past due to similar protests.

The project will facilitate access to the temple for senior citizens, children and others who find it difficult to climb the track to the cave shrine, it had said.

The Samiti, which represents shopkeepers, pony operators and palanquin owners, argues that the ropeway would destroy the livelihoods of local business owners and has demanded that the project be scrapped.

With black flags displayed across the town, shops, restaurants, and other business establishments remained closed for the third day, and vehicular movement was at a standstill, following the Samiti's call for protest.

The bandh has disrupted normal life in one of India’s busiest pilgrimage hubs, which is visited daily by thousands of devotees seeking blessings at the cave shrine.

"The bandh is part of our 72-hour-long shutdown against the ropeway project. It is going on peacefully. The committee will decide on the next course of action soon," said a spokesperson for the Samiti.

Criticising the administration for its lack of engagement, the spokesperson said, "The administration is indifferent to the plight of people, including women and children, holding peaceful protests. Our simple demand is to shelve the project, as it threatens the livelihood of Katra residents, most of whom rely on the pilgrimage economy."

He further claimed that instead of initiating dialogue, the administration resorted to force, including the detention of Samiti leaders during a peaceful protest. "They are creating an unnecessary crisis with their approach," he stated.

Shiva, a participant in the hunger strike, had to be hospitalised after his condition deteriorated.

"Our hunger strike will continue until the detained individuals are released. If someone falls ill, another person will replace them," said another participant in the hunger strike.

Eighteen protesters, including Samiti leaders Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, were detained by police during Wednesday's march and taken away from the protest site.

The proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project will connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, leading to the cave shrine in Reasi district.

In Jammu, the Shiv Sena Dogra Front (DFSS) extended its support to the pilgrims, who are facing hardships due to the bandh, and urged that the issue be resolved amicably.

"We stand with the pilgrims and support better facilities. If needed, create two ropeways instead of one. Provide more amenities for accommodating pilgrims during the yatra," said DFSS President Ashok Gupta.

Gupta added that the pilgrimage had significantly boosted Katra's economy, and the bandh was causing inconvenience to devotees. "Yatra, business, ponywalas are all dependent on pilgrims. They should not be put to inconvenience," he said.

"For the past three days, pilgrims have faced immense difficulties. If the authorities fail to address this, we will use our vehicles to ferry pilgrims to the temple and provide them with food," he said.

However, many pilgrims expressed dissatisfaction over the closure of eateries and the unavailability of local transport, which caused significant inconvenience during their journey to the cave shrine.

To lessen the impact of the bandh, the Shrine Board has arranged boarding and lodging for pilgrims arriving in the town.

Special langars at the Katra railway station, Banganga and Tarakote are providing tea and milk to ensure the yatra continues smoothly on both tracks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

J&K: Shutdown in Katra against ropeway project enters third day

J&K: Shutdown in Katra against ropeway project enters third day

Shubhanshu Shukla grows Moong and Methi in space lab

Shubhanshu Shukla grows Moong and Methi in space lab

Chhattisgarh walking on path of development by assimilating Buddha's message of love: CM Sai

Chhattisgarh walking on path of development by assimilating Buddha's message of love: CM Sai

IAF's Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan, both pilots killed

IAF's Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan, both pilots killed

UP CM Yogi Adityanath launches mega plantation drive, targets 52 crore saplings this year

UP CM Yogi Adityanath launches mega plantation drive, targets 52 crore saplings this year

Drug cartel with Pak links busted in Bathinda

Drug cartel with Pak links busted in Bathinda

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

AAP flags health revolution with Sehat Beema Yojna

AAP flags health revolution with Sehat Beema Yojna

AAP launches Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna for universal healthcare

AAP launches Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna for universal healthcare

Use WWE Index report to prioritise women's empowerment in UP: CM Adityanath to officials

Use WWE Index report to prioritise women's empowerment in UP: CM Adityanath to officials

Protests erupt against special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar

Protests erupt against special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar

Markets empty, schools shut in Puducherry amid nationwide union strike

Markets empty, schools shut in Puducherry amid nationwide union strike

Nine killed as vehicles fall into river after bridge collapse in Vadodara

Nine killed as vehicles fall into river after bridge collapse in Vadodara

Maharashtra polls were rigged, we will not allow same to happen in Bihar: Rahul Gandhi

Maharashtra polls were rigged, we will not allow same to happen in Bihar: Rahul Gandhi

Thirteen hospitalised after suspected toddy poisoning in Hyderabad

Thirteen hospitalised after suspected toddy poisoning in Hyderabad

ISRO successfully conducts hot tests of Gaganyaan propulsion system

ISRO successfully conducts hot tests of Gaganyaan propulsion system

Preparations underway for grand Independence Day celebration in Chhattisgarh

Preparations underway for grand Independence Day celebration in Chhattisgarh

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.