||Black and White Digital News||

||December 16,2024 ||

KATRA : The bustling town of Katra, known as the gateway to the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, is gearing up for a complete shutdown on December 18. This drastic step has been announced by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, an organization representing local traders, residents, and stakeholders, to protest against the proposed ropeway project.

The decision came after a pivotal meeting held today at Shalimar Park, Katra, where a large number of locals voiced their concerns. Speaking to Black and White Digital News, Ravinder Singh, a prominent member of the Sangharsh Samiti, said, “The ropeway project poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of local shopkeepers and disrupts the traditional pilgrimage ecosystem that has sustained our town for decades. The sentiments of the locals are clear: we strongly oppose this project.”

The meeting witnessed an impassioned response from representatives of various sectors in Katra, including traders, pilgrims’ service providers, and residents. Addressing the gathering, leaders of the Samiti urged for a united stand to preserve the town’s economic and cultural heritage. They emphasized that the ropeway could marginalize hundreds of shopkeepers and small businesses that rely on the foot traffic of pilgrims.

To underscore their demands, the members of the Sangharsh Samiti organized a massive rally through Katra town. The rally drew significant participation, including former Minister Jugal Kishore Sharma, who lent his support to the cause. Marching through the streets, protestors carried banners and chanted slogans against the project, creating a powerful spectacle of resistance.

Karan Singh elaborated on the Samiti’s strategy, stating, “The shutdown on December 18 is a wake-up call to the Government. We want them to understand the far-reaching consequences of this ropeway project, not just for the economy but for the cultural sanctity of the pilgrimage. If our demands are ignored, we will escalate our protests. The future course of action will be decided in subsequent meetings.”

The proposed ropeway project has stirred intense debate in the region. While some view it as a modern infrastructure upgrade aimed at enhancing pilgrim convenience, locals argue that it threatens the symbiotic relationship between the pilgrims and the town’s traditional economy. The project, they claim, will divert a significant portion of the pilgrim traffic away from Katra’s markets and hospitality services.

The Sangharsh Samiti’s call for a complete shutdown has already garnered widespread support among the town’s residents and businesses. With December 18 looming, the stage is set for a significant display of solidarity and determination. As the tension mounts, all eyes are on the Government’s response to the demands of the Sangharsh Samiti and the people of Katra.

This is not just a fight against a development project; it is a battle to protect the identity, economy, and traditions of a town that thrives on its deep-rooted connection to the pilgrimage of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. The coming days are expected to shape the future of Katra and its people.