SRINAGAR: The bustling town of Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, finds itself at an unusual standstill as protests against a proposed ropeway project enter their sixth day. The strike, spearheaded by the Sangharsh Samiti and supported by various political factions, has paralysed normal life in the town, which typically sees a steady influx of pilgrims visiting the revered shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Trikuta hills.
The agitation began on December 25, triggered by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s announcement of a Rs 250-crore ropeway project aimed at connecting the Katra base camp to Sanjhi Chhat, near the shrine. Protesters, led by Beli Ram Rana, argue that the project threatens the livelihoods of locals who depend on the pilgrimage economy. Their demands include the immediate cancellation of the project and the unconditional release of 18 youths detained during earlier demonstrations.
The bandh has brought most businesses in Katra to a halt, although some hotels and restaurants have remained open, much to the frustration of protesters, particularly the five men on a hunger strike at Shridhar Chowk. In solidarity with the agitation, the Hotels and Restaurants Association President Rakesh Wazir announced that no new bookings would be taken after December 31 and that establishments would close to support the movement.
The protests have drawn attention from across the political spectrum, with several leaders visiting the town to express solidarity. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, accompanied by senior leaders from the National Conference, BJP, and Congress, addressed protesters at Shridhar Chowk and Shalimar Park. Choudhary emphasised the importance of balancing development with the livelihoods of locals, warning that the ropeway project could disrupt the economic fabric of the region. He pledged to raise the issue with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and called for the release of the detained youth.
Local MLA Baldev Raj Sharma has threatened to begin a hunger strike himself if the detainees are not released within 24 hours. While expressing support for the protesters, Sharma acknowledged that some political leaders have suggested the detainees may not be released unless the project is cancelled—a condition he deemed unrealistic but insisted would not deter the agitation.
Other prominent voices, including former Minister Ajay Nanda and Congress leaders Yogesh Sawhney and Vijay Sharma, have also joined the protests. Nanda criticised the administration for underestimating the resolve of the people of Jammu, particularly the Dogra community, while Sawhney called for an immediate resolution to the impasse.
Meanwhile, posters accusing Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma of being “missing” have appeared in Katra, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among locals over the perceived lack of engagement from their elected representatives. Protesters remain adamant that meaningful dialogue is the only way to resolve the deadlock, but they claim no officials have approached them for discussions.
As the strike continues, the disruption in Katra has raised concerns about its impact on the thousands of pilgrims who travel to the Vaishno Devi shrine daily. The situation underscores a broader debate about development and its consequences for local communities—a challenge that remains unresolved as protests intensify.
