Katra Observes Total Shutdown On Day 2 In Protest Against Ropeway Project

JAMMU : Protesting against the ropeway project, a 72-hour shutdown call given by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti on Thursday entered the second day in Katra town of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
All the stakeholders including pony owners, shopkeepers and other traders are protesting against the proposed ropeway project at Katra–the base camp of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
The businesses in Katra town remained completely closed since morning on the second day of the 72-hours shutdown call.
On Wednesday, several people were detained by police during a protest.
Instead of finding the solution by holding deliberation, the protestors alleged that the government was derailing the issue and forcing them to come on the roads.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board last month, announced plans to install the ropeway to facilitate access to the temple for senior citizens, children, and others who find it challenging to trek the 13-km-long path to the cave shrine.
The proposed Rs 250-crore project aims to connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, which leads to the shrine.
The pilgrims however, faced difficulties in view of total shutdown in Katra town.