STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A meeting of the All J&K Passengers’ Welfare Association (AJKPWA), led by its president Pt RC Sharma, was held to address the exorbitant airfare from Jammu Airport to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
The association strongly condemned the current fare of Rs 35,000 for a same-day return trip, calling it unjustified and financially burdensome for pilgrims. They are demanding that the fare be reduced to Rs 10,000.
In his address, Pt RC Sharma highlighted the unfairness of the current fare structure, emphasizing that it prevents many devotees, especially those from economically weaker sections, from undertaking the sacred journey.
“The existing airfare is excessively high and unjustified. We demand a reduction to Rs 10,000 to ensure that the pilgrimage remains accessible to all,” he stated.
During the meeting, the members unanimously authorized Pt RC Sharma to write a formal letter to Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The letter will urge the Lt. Governor to intervene and slash the airfare to a more reasonable rate of Rs 10,000 for a same-day return trip.
Other prominent members who spoke at the meeting included Jaspal Singh, SwaranLal, Prince Raina, Baldev Singh, Prem Singh, Daleep Sharma, VeenaBakshi, and Reeta Sharma. They all echoed the sentiment that the current fare is prohibitively high and needs to be reduced. Jaspal Singh stated, “The pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is of immense spiritual significance. It should not be treated as a corporate venture aimed at earning money.”
Swaran Lal added, “We believe that the proposed fare of Rs 10,000 is fair and will help make the pilgrimage accessible to a wider population.” Prince Raina emphasized the need for affordable travel options to ensure that everyone can benefit from the spiritual journey. The association is hopeful that their plea will be heard and that Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha will take swift action to address this issue. Reducing the airfare is expected not only to alleviate the financial burden on pilgrims but also to promote religious tourism and benefit the local economy.
The All J&K Passengers’ Welfare Association remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of passengers, ensuring that the spiritual journey to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi remains within reach for all devotees.