Jammu, Nov 30: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday called upon Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to reconsider the construction of a ropeway leading to the Vaishno Devi shrine, citing its potential adverse impact on local livelihoods.
Speaking to reporters here, the former chief minister demanded the withdrawal of FIRs against protesters opposing the project. She said religious places should be preserved as sites of reverence, not transformed into tourism hubs.
“The livelihood of shopkeepers, labourers and others associated with the pilgrimage will suffer immensely if the ropeway project proceeds,” Mehbooba said, adding that the trek to Vaishno Devi is not only a path of devotion but also a lifeline for thousands of locals who depend on it for their income.
Highlighting the religious significance of the site, she said, “This is a place of reverence where millions of devotees come with pure hearts to seek blessings of the Mata. Converting it into a tourism hotspot undermines its sanctity.”
Mufti said the proposed ropeway would bypass three important locations along the traditional route, further impacting the cultural and spiritual journey of pilgrims.
The PDP chief urged the government to focus on developing other areas in Jammu and Kashmir with untapped tourism potential.
“Jammu and Kashmir already faces significant economic challenges, including the highest unemployment rate in the country,” she said.
Mehbooba criticised the lack of government jobs and inadequate private sector investment, saying, “The ropeway project will only add to the economic distress of the region by displacing those who rely on the traditional pilgrimage route for their livelihood.”
She reiterated her appeal for the government to prioritise local well-being while making developmental decisions and ensure that religious and cultural values are preserved alongside economic progress.
