• Opposition to proposed ropeway project intensifies
• Town observes complete shutdown, pilgrims suffer
Srinagar, Dec 25: Police detained 18 persons during a protest in Katra, where opposition to the proposed ropeway project intensified, prompting a 72-hour shutdown of the town starting Wednesday.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti initiated the bandh, halting all activities in Katra as part of the protest.
The protest, focused on the proposed gondola project, saw markets in Katra completely shut down. Demonstrators gathered at Shalimar Park, and when they attempted to march into the markets, they were detained by Katra police.
The protest was led by Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, who, along with a large group of supporters, marched through the town raising slogans against the Shrine Board and local administration for their lack of flexibility.
Tensions escalated when police used a lathicharge to disperse the crowd, detaining several protesters, who were taken away in police vehicles.
Singh, speaking to reporters, expressed that the government was ignoring the concerns of the people of Katra, forcing them into protest. “We demand the project be shelved to protect the jobs of thousands. Instead of engaging in dialogue, the administration is using the police to detain us. This is deeply disappointing,” he said.
Sham Lal, a local leader, condemned the administration’s approach, claiming they had ignored the Katra community’s concerns. “Around 20 people were detained by Katra police; 2 were released, and 18 are being held at two locations in the district,” he said, adding that it was an injustice to the people of the town.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Paramvir Singh, confirmed that protests had been ongoing for three days and that the police were managing the situation. “Today, some protesters tried to disrupt peace in the town. We are trying to handle the situation, and we hope normalcy will be restored soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, pilgrims expressed frustration over the shutdown, highlighting the closure of eateries and the suspension of local transport, which caused significant inconvenience. “We are facing many difficulties. Where will pilgrims eat or rest during this three-day bandh? This is not the right way to protest. We urge the protest leaders to call off the strike, as thousands of pilgrims are suffering,” said Reena Devi, a pilgrim from Patna, Bihar.
Former minister Jugal Kishore criticised the “use of force” against the protesters. “We strongly condemn the administration’s move to use force against peaceful demonstrators. Their actions are aimed at disturbing the situation in Katra, which is unacceptable,” Kishore said. He accused the administration of avoiding dialogue, adding, “Instead of holding discussions, they are aggravating the situation.”
Earlier this week, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board CEO Anshul Garg stated that the ropeway would reduce the journey time from Katra to Sanjichhat to just six minutes. From there, pilgrims would walk 30-45 minutes to reach the shrine. With a projected completion date of December 2026, the Rs 250-crore project aims to transport 1,000 people per hour, helping to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims while enhancing safety and accessibility for millions visiting the shrine annually.
