Katra/Jammu, Jan 1: Katra — the starting point for pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir — has returned to normal operations on Wednesday after a week-long disruption caused by a protest against a planned ropeway project in the Trikuta hills of Reasi district.
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Eighteen individuals detained by police during the protests have been released, triggering celebrations in the sacred town overnight.
“All shops, dining establishments, and commercial activities resumed after the week-long shutdown. Traffic has also been restored, providing significant relief to pilgrims,” stated an official.
With life returning to normal, hundreds of devotees visited the holy town on the first day of the year to pay their respects at the cave shrine, with long lines observed at the entry points in Katra and Bhawan.
“We are relieved that the strike has concluded. It was greatly disrupting our plans. We came here to pay our respects on the New Year’s first day,” shared Suresh Kadam, a Pune resident.
The ‘bandh’, which commenced on December 25, had severely impacted daily life in one of the busiest pilgrimage destinations in the country, attracting thousands of worshippers each day.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, which initiated the shutdown, declared that all activities in Katra would be on hold during this period.
On Tuesday night, the Jammu and Kashmir administration revealed the release of detainees and formed a four-member committee to engage in discussions with the protesting civil society members.
“Eighteen individuals who were detained, including several leaders, were freed around 1 am from Reasi and Udhampur jails. They returned to Katra to a warm welcome from the gathered crowd,” a spokesperson for the Samiti reported.
The Samiti had launched the shutdown on December 25, later extending it for an additional 72 hours on December 27 to reinforce their demands, which included halting the proposed ropeway project and liberating the detained protesters.
Eight young activists had gone on a hunger strike, insisting on the release of the detainees, including two leaders of the Samiti — Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand.
Last month, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) disclosed plans to construct a ropeway to aid access for senior citizens, children, and those who find the 13-km journey to the cave shrine challenging.
The proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project aims to link Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat, leading toward the cave shrine in Reasi district. PTI AB As stated by SMVDSB CEO Anshul Garg, approximately 94.83 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine in 2024.
