People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday urged Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to reconsider the plan to construct a ropeway on the trek to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, emphasising that religious sites should not be turned into tourism hubs.
The former chief minister also called for the immediate withdrawal of an FIR filed against anti-ropeway protesters following recent violence in Katra town.
“The livelihood of shopkeepers, labourers and others are linked to the pilgrimage and they are bound to face a lot of problems (after construction of the ropeway). The government should think that it is a religious place and be treated like one instead of converting it into a tourism spot,” Mehbooba told reporters.
PDP chief Mufti highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir is home to numerous sites with significant tourism potential.
“This is a place of reverence where a devotee comes with a pure heart to seek blessings of the Mata. Construction of the ropeway will not only bypass three important locations enroute to the shrine but also snatch the livelihood of thousands of locals,” she said.
She claimed that Jammu and Kashmir is already facing the highest unemployment rate in the country, with government jobs scarce and private investments failing to materialise.
Mehbooba stated that the Baridar community, which managed the shrine’s affairs before the establishment of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has been unhappy with their removal and has been protesting continuously.
(With PTI inputs)