December 26, 2024 – Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, is observing a 72-hour shutdown called by local business owners and workers.
The protest, which started on December 25, 2024, is led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, a collective opposing the proposed ropeway project worth ₹250 crore to connect Tarakote Marg with Sanji Chhat, thereby providing an alternate route to the 13-mile difficult trek to the shrine.
Concerns Over Livelihoods
Local stakeholders, including shopkeepers, transporters, hoteliers, and pony and palanquin operators, fear that the ropeway will greatly impact their earnings, thus diminishing footfall on the traditional path of pilgrimage.
They argue that the project is a threat to their livelihood, which heavily relies on the uninterrupted stream of pilgrims that move on the existing route.
Protest Escalates Amid Police Intervention
The protest escalated when under the enforcement of the shutdown, 20 protesters were detained by the police. To maintain order, authorities conducted a flag march in Katra, although tensions remain high as the shutdown continues.
Pilgrims Face Inconvenience
The ongoing blockade has caused enormous inconvenience for the pilgrims. With business outlets, restaurants, and all transit services closed, many of the visitors are left helpless when it comes to food and resting facilities.
One such frustrated pilgrim commented: “We are having a lot of problems. Where are we, as pilgrim travelers, supposed to eat and take rest during this three-day continuous bandh? This protest is bringing untold miseries.”
Authorities Urge Dialogue
Local authorities have called for a debate to discuss protesters’ concerns. A planned meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Reasi had reportedly been postponed, which caused the Samiti, disgusted with the authorities, to insist on the ongoing strike on the grounds that this delay was only a ploy to buy them time.
The administration has stressed that benefits from the project shall be directed mainly toward pilgrims who are aged and differently-abled while trying to find a compromise that would also take into consideration the livelihood status of local workers.
The Protests – A Political Support and Future Implications
Local political leaders, including those from the-BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) and Congress, have since expressed solidarity with the demonstrators.
The case emphasizes the dilemma of finding a balance between infrastructural development and safeguarding traditional livelihoods glaringly visible in areas that are being modernized.
As the 72-hour closure unfolds, the standoff in Katra illustrates the difficulties of local development initiatives in areas that, for ages, have lived by rigid economic and cultural practices.
The outcome of this protest may indicate how to resolve such disputes in the future, particularly next to the much-needed contemplative planning by each group of concerned people.
