How a Rs 300-crore project has united political rivals in Jammu and Kashmir

Members of Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti take out a protest rally during a shutdown, in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)

The proposed ropeway project between Katra town and Sanjichhat en route to the Vaishno Devi cave shrine has united political rivals in Jammu and Kashmir like never before. From the National Conference to the Peoples Democratic party and the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party -- all have opposed this Rs 300-crore project set to be undertaken by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board that is helmed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha as chairperson.

Led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, locals have opposed the project and launched a protest against it, claiming that the project would cause immense damage to local businesses and workers.

The protests, which have now crossed Day 7, has seen a bandh call in Katra by protesters, even as leaders across political lines lent their support to the agitation. On Sunday, the fifth day of the agitation, J&K Deputy Chief Minister and NC leader Surinder Choudhary, BJP MLA Baldev Raj Sharma, NC Jammu province president Rattan Lal Gupta, former minister and senior BJP leader Ajay Nanda, former Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party leader Jugal Kishore Sharma, former minister and senior Congress leader Yogesh Sawhney, J&K Congress Sewa Dal chief Vijay Sharma, and former BJP leader Pawan Khajuria were among leaders who addressed the protesters.

Deputy CM Surinder Shoudhary said the proposed ropeway project between Tarakote, on the outskirts of Katra, and Sanjichhat could jeopardise the livelihoods of thousands who are dependent on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. "While development must be appreciated, it should not harm any individual’s livelihood," he said, adding that he had been sent to meet the protesters and extend his support by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

"Those elected and those not elected, and also those of us – ministers and the Deputy Chief Minister – we all can face these challenges in a united manner, not separately," he said, urging leaders to rise above party politics and unite to address the issue that threatens the coming generations of Katra.

BJP MLA Baldev Sharma also extended his support to the protest and said that the party stands by them and their demands. Former minister Ajay Nanda questioned the purpose of the proposed project. "This development will snatch away the livelihoods of 40,000 people instead of creating new jobs," he said.

PDP president and former CM Mehbooba Mufti also met members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti last month and extended her support to the protest. "There is a growing and worrying trend of converting sacred pilgrimage sites into commercial tourist attractions. Such decisions risk undermining the spiritual sanctity of these places and alienating the communities that have nurtured and preserved their traditions for centuries,” Mufti said and urged that the shrine board reconsider its decision on the project.

Katra town acts as a base camp for the Vaishno Devi shrine in the Trikuta Hills, receiving between 35,000 and 40,000 pilgrims from across the country on a daily basis. The town houses 672 hotels and several shops, restaurants and other business establishments.

The past week has seen the otherwise buzzing town wear a deserted look as tourists began to bear the brunt as shops and eateries shut shop, and mules, pithus and palkiwalas suspended their services as part of the continued strike.

L-G Sinha, however, said that the construction of the ropeway was in accordance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal which has directed a phased withdrawal of the mules and horses from the old yatra track, which is being widened and installed with decorative street lights.

Sinha has also sought to assuage the concerns of the protesters and claimed the proposed ropeway would not reduce pilgrim traffic on the existing route, pointing out that they would have to visit Niharika in Katra town to buy tickets for the ropeway.

Sinha has called for resolution of the matter through dialogue and set up a four-member high-level committee for the purpose. The committee comprises former Director General of Police Ashok Bhan, retired judge and former J&K Public Service Commission member Suresh Sharma, shrine board CEO Anshul Garg, and Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Ramesh Kumar.