Katra ropeway project: Apni Party urges govt to address protesters’ concerns, release detainees

Jammu, Dec 31: Apni Party’s provincial president for Jammu, S. Manjit Singh on Tuesday urged the government to engage with protesting stakeholders and address their legitimate concerns and apprehensions regarding the proposed ropeway project to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
He appealed to the government to release the arrested members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti who were detained during a protest march against the ropeway project.
The proposed Katra-Sanjichhat ropeway is intended to bypass the old Katra-Banga-Adi Kunwari route of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. Locals, including traders, shopkeepers, pony walas, labourers and hoteliers have been opposing the project. They argue that the ropeway would impact their livelihoods, as visiting pilgrims would no longer require their services once the ropeway is completed and operational.
In a statement issued here, Singh said, “It is worrisome that the protest has been continuing for the past six days in Katra against the proposed ropeway project to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The protesters argue that the ropeway could significantly impact their sources of livelihood. Their concerns are legitimate to some extent. The government must engage with these stakeholders to address their concerns and apprehensions. Local stakeholders cannot be left protesting like this. It is imperative for the authorities to initiate meaningful dialogue and ensure their concerns are adequately addressed.”
Demanding the immediate release of the detained protesters, Singh said, “Unfortunately, some of the leaders of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti have been arrested by the police. They should be released immediately.”