SRINAGAR: Even as the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administration has opened a window for dialogue, the Katra service providers have extended their protest plans by two more days, citing a lack of written assurance from the authorities regarding their demands to shelve the proposed Rs 250-crore Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ropeway project.
In a detailed interview with The Daily Excelsior, the Lieutenant Governor revealed that a high-level committee, including Dr Ashok Bhan, Suresh Kumar Sharma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, and CEO SMVDSB Anshul Garg, has been established to address concerns and engage in discussions with stakeholders. The project, which originated from a 2017 National Green Tribunal directive to phase out mules due to environmental and animal cruelty concerns, affects 11,000 service providers, including 3,844 ponywallahs, 4,233 pithus, and 3,300 palkiwallahs.
Sinha assured that the rehabilitation scheme currently available for pithus could be extended to other service providers. Further, he stated that Katra would benefit significantly, with the ropeway’s ticketing counter being established at Niharika Bhawan in the town’s heart and a multi-modal terminal for the Delhi-Katra Expressway also in the works. To address concerns about reduced footfall along the traditional pilgrimage route, the administration has proposed upgrading facilities, including better lighting, laser light shows, and a compensation scheme of Rs 50,000 for affected stakeholders if the yatra numbers do not increase. The ropeway, designed to operate only 7-8 hours daily, would also serve emergency evacuation and staff transportation needs.
The Sangharsh Samiti, spearheading the protests, has dismissed these assurances, insisting on a complete halt to the project. Protesters have extended their agitation amidst escalating tensions, with hunger strikes and warnings of self-immolation underscoring the gravity of the situation.
