Jammu. The 72-hour strike by stakeholders against the proposed ropeway project to the Vaishno Devi temple located on the Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir continued for the second day on Saturday, due to which hundreds of devotees are facing difficulties.
Shopkeepers, pony and palanquin owners had launched the strike on Friday as they feared they would become jobless due to the ropeway project, officials said. Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board recently decided to execute the proposed passenger ropeway project at a cost of Rs 250 crore between Tarakot Marg to Sanjhi Chhat, a 12-km track up to the temple.
Earlier this project was postponed due to similar protests. Officials said shops and business establishments remained open in Katra town, the base camp for the pilgrims, but shops on both sides of the yatra route remained closed for the second day. Pony and palanquin owners have also stopped their services, due to which many pilgrims faced difficulties during the journey.
The protesters gathered at Shalimar Park in Katra town and staged a peaceful protest and raised slogans against the board’s decision. Senior Congress leader Bhupendra Singh Jamwal, addressing the protesters, said, “The ropeway project will be completed in the next two years and will eliminate the opportunity for service providers to earn livelihood. The government should make a proper rehabilitation plan for the poor laborers affected by this project.
He suggested financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to each affected person and said they would hold a meeting on Sunday to chalk out the future course of action. Shopkeepers association leader Prabhat Singh said, “We will not allow the ropeway project to be implemented in Katra. We have been fighting against this for three years. We were given assurances in the past, but now they have decided to implement the project.” He said, ”We have started a 72-hour strike. If they do not accept our demand to postpone the project, we will continue the strike.”
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