JAMMU, Mar 18: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha today said a committee has been formed to dispel apprehensions of Katra residents over the proposed ropeway project at Vaishno Devi shrine.Click here to watch videoSinha, who is also the chairperson of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), was speaking to reporters after dedicating the newly constructed Durga Bhawan having the capacity to accommodate 3000 pilgrims per day near the sanctum sanctorum.Responding to a question about the resentment among the residents of Katra over the proposed ropeway project, Sinha said his administration is open to suggestions and wants them onboard while executing the project which would help people with disabilities to visit the shrine.“There are apprehensions among the Katra residents (over the loss of livelihood opportunities after the construction of the ropeway). We want to dispel those apprehensions and want them to be on board,” the LG said.Katra town, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the shrine, witnessed massive protest against the construction of the proposed ropeway on February 28, a week after Sinha announced that the project is in the final phase of tendering and will be undertaken with utmost sensitivity to safeguard the interests of the local businessmen.SMVDSB has recently approved a Rs 250-crore passenger ropeway project between Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chat along the 12-km track to facilitate elderly persons, medically unfit and disabled people who are not able to offer their prayers at the shrine.“It (ropeway project) is still in the pre-consultation phase. We have framed a committee comprising Divisional Commissioner (Jammu), CEO shrine Board and other officials who will hold talks with the people and note their suggestions,” Sinha, who paid his obeisance at the shrine and also participated in a special prayer, said.
