Shiv Sena (UBT), Sant Samaj demand cancellation of ropeway project for SMVD Yatra

Jammu, Nov 29: Shiv Sena (UBT) and Swami Rajeshwaranand Ji Maharaj from Sant Samaj have demanded the cancellation of the ropeway project on the Tarakot road of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, accusing it of destroying the original form of the yatra and tampering with religious faith.
At the Maharaja Hari Singh statue site in Jammu, under the leadership of Shri Rajmata Jhandewalan Temple Group’s Paramadhyaksha Swami Shri Rajeshwaranand Ji Maharaj and Shiv Sena (UBT) State Chief Manish Sahni, a peaceful dharna demonstration was held on Friday, with participants holding placards bearing messages like “Ropeway – a project to destroy the form of the yatra”, “Ropeway will make the yatra incomplete” and “Not ropeway – yatra circuit should be made”.
Swami Rajeshwaranand Ji Maharaj said that in past years, the Shrine Board has provided many facilities to the pilgrims, which is commendable. However, he argued that the ropeway project is a tampering with the Shri Vaishno Devi Yatra and an affront to the religious sentiments of devotees.
“While the purpose of visiting pilgrimage sites is to convey the message of religion, wealth, work, and salvation to the worldly, the livelihood of local people—such as daily wage laborers, porters, mules, and small shopkeepers—will be negatively impacted,” he said. He warned that this would diminish the importance of the Devi Darshan Tirtha.
On the other hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) State Chief Manish Sahni, accusing the project of spoiling the nature of the Yatra, said that due to the ropeway facility, devotees would miss out on the privilege of visiting holy temples such as Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Ardhkunwari. He called on the Shrine Board to abandon its stubborn stance on the ropeway project and respect the religious faith of the people.
Sahni also demanded that the Shrine Board use the Rs 250 crore earmarked for the ropeway project for the upliftment of famous historical temples in Jammu and Katra, and to create a Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra Circuit, similar to the Lord Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This, he said, would ensure that devotees receive the full blessings of the Mother Goddess and provide a boost to the local economy.