STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: A ten member committee of traders was on Wednesday constituted after the protestors objecting opening of new track to Mata Vaishno Devi met Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh in Katra town of Reasi district.
Dr Singh assured them early redressal of their
grievances.
Katra town observed two-day shutdown in protest against opening of new track for devotees as traders and shopkeepers were demanding that the new track should not be for devotees but instead only for loading and unloading of goods.
“The new track is ready for operation and it will cater devotees performing pilgrimage on foot,” an official here said.
He said that neither battery car service will be provided on new track not being used by mule operators, adding, “the track will be thrown open only for devotees going to Bhawan on foot besides pithus will be allowed to cater them.”
He further said that the Ban Ganga-Tarakota-Adh Kuwari track is having 8.5 kilometres stretch from Army Camp, Darshani Deodi and it will be of helpful in meeting the rush especially during occasions like Navratras.
“We have met the protestors and they apprised about their problem,” Dr Nirmal Singh said.
Last year also, Baridars and traders went on strike in protest against opening of new track but the strike was called off on government’s assurance of addressing the issue as earliest.
MoS Finance Ajay Nanda, who is also MLA Reasi, accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister during the meeting.
