Pilgrims in peril as Katra goes for 72-hr shutdown

THE Katra town, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine, is observing 72-hour shutdown from Wednesday against the proposed ropeway project.

- FAYAZ WANI @Srinagar

THE Katra town, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine, is observing 72-hour shutdown from Wednesday against the proposed ropeway project. The locals including traders, shopkeepers, pony operators and labourers have opposed the project saying it would snatch their livelihood.

Due to the shutdown, the pilgrims faced a lot of inconvenience and hardships. Shops and other business establishments too were closed. The shutdown has been called by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, which is spearheading agitation against the ropeway project.