Utilize allotted budget of Rs 250cr to develop “Bhumika Mandir”, “Kol Kandoli” & “Deva Mai”: Sahni 

KATRA: The proposed ropeway project for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine from Tarakot Marg to Sanjhi Chhat in Katra may be suitable in the view of development and facilities, but it will affect the mythological route, faith, employment and business of the locals.

This was observed by Manish Sahni, President Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Jammu and Kashmir unit while interacting with media persons at Holy Town Katra after meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

In this context, a group of Shiv Sena leaders led by Manish Sahni today met CEO of SMVDSB, Anshul Garg (IAS) and submitted a memorandum to him with regard to the proposed ropeway project from Tarakot Marg to Sanjhi Chhat in Katra.

Sahni said that the upcoming ropeway project will spoil the traditional Yatra along with this, thousands of  people are at risk of being unemployed and local business of Katra will be affected.

Sahni said that already  ‘Pehla & Dusra’ Darshan “Kol Kandoli”  and “Deva Mai” were cut off under  the development of road and rail route and now under the ropeway project will may also cut off the holy “Baan Ganga” , “Charan Paduka”, “Ardhakumari” , &  “Garbhjun” .

While according to the scriptures and mythology, the devotees who are unable to climb the 14 km climb, they can get the blessings of Maa Bhagwati by visiting Deva Mai Temple which is the second Darshan located near Katra town.

Sahni said that people’s faith is being hurt in the name of development, as well as thousands of people providing services on the Yatra route are facing the fear of unemployment and collapse of business.

Sahni said that after climbing Banganga, Charan Paduka, Ardhakumari, Garbhajuna and Hatthi Math on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Marg situated in the picturesque hills of Trikuta Parvat, Goddesses Kali (right), Saraswati (left) and Lakshmi (middle) in the form of Holy Pindis get the good fortune of having Darshans.  The combined form of these three Holy Pindis is called Vaishno Devi Mata.

Sahni said, expressing strong opposition to this project, the residents of Katra had strongly protested two days ago and were observe a one-day strike by closing their shops and businesses.

Sahni appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, who is the Chairman of the Shrine Board, to stop this project and allotted budget of Rs  250 cr should be spend to develop the “Bhumika Mandir” , “Kol Kandoli” and “Deva Mai” Temple related to Holy Yatra of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.

On this occasion Gen Secretary Vikas Bakshi, Sr. Vice president Sanjeev Kohli, President district Reasi Ashu Sharma, President Katra Vikal Abrol, Shumbu Nath , Sanjay Sharma , Sahil Jamwal  , Ajay Kumar , Deepu Sharma were present.