Protests in Katra against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway project

Protesters are back on the streets in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra town against the proposed Vaishno Devi ropeway plan, and threatened to resume a chain hunger strike if the project is not shelved.

Locals of Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, have been opposing the Rs 250-crore ropeway project that will connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre-long steep track to the cave shrine in Reasi.

They claim the ropeway would impact the livelihoods of over 60,000 families, especially hoteliers, shopkeepers, pony operators, and labourers.

On Tuesday, people, particularly the youth, sat on a dharna carrying the picture of Mata Vaishno Devi and banners saying "No to Ropeway", and raised slogans demanding that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board put an end to the proposed ropeway project.

They said the protests will continue until the ropeway project is shelved.