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KATRA: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has raised serious concerns over the problems and difficulties being faced by the people and traders of Katra town due to the ongoing agitation regarding the proposed ropeway project to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
In a statement issued here today, the senior NC leader said that the holy town of Katra has been shut down for the last three days due to the ongoing agitation, which have had a negative impact on the Shrine Board. He expressed concern that these developments are disrupting the peaceful pilgrimage experience for the thousands of devotees arriving from across the country and abroad.
Rattan Lal Gupta asserted that the proposed ropeway project could severely impact the sanctity of the pilgrimage and disrupt the livelihoods of thousands dependent on the yatra. Highlighting the religious significance of the traditional pilgrimage route, he emphasized that key holy sites such as Ban Ganga, Charan Paduka, Ardh Kuwari, and Hathi Matha will be bypassed if the ropeway project is implemented. “This will hurt the sentiments of the pilgrimage, as these spots are integral to the spiritual experience of the pilgrimage,” he asserted.
He said that the proposed ropeway project will dilute the purpose of the yatra in which people from across the country and abroad come to perform their pilgrimage, seeking spiritual solace and blessings. The sacredness of these sites, which have been part of the yatra for centuries, cannot be overlooked, and altering the traditional route will diminish the profound religious significance that devotees associate with these holy spots.”
Expressing solidarity with the residents of Katra, Rattan Lal Gupta warned that the entire town would face isolation from the pilgrimage economy. “More than 50,000 people including traders, Pithus, pony wallhs, Palki wallahs, shopkeepers are directly and indirectly associated with the pilgrimage. The Shrine Board / Central Government must ensure that no livelihood will be affected at any cost by this project,” he demanded.
Condemning the lathi charge on peaceful protesters in Katra, Rattan Lal Gupta described the incident as an undemocratic move to suppress public sentiment. “The National Conference fully supports the demands of the people of Katra. We stand with them in their fight to protect their rights and livelihood,” he affirmed.
Appealing directly to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who serves as the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the Provincial President urged him to reconsider the ropeway project. "In the past, I have strongly reacted against this decision of the Shrine Board, as it threatens to undermine the traditional pilgrimage route and the livelihoods of the local community," he said. "The Shrine Board must prioritize the preservation of both the spiritual and economic fabric of Katra, ensuring that no sacred site is compromised for commercial or infrastructural gains."
He said that the National Conference supports development but not at the cost of people's livelihoods. The party is committed to ensuring that progress does not harm the well-being or disrupt the lives of the local communities who depend on the pilgrimage economy.
He further appealed that LG Sinha should immediately halt the implementation of this project and engage in dialogue with the stakeholders to address their genuine concerns. He reiterated Party's commitment in safeguarding the interests of the people and preserving the sanctity of religious traditions in Jammu and Kashmir.
