| Katra Town observes complete shutdown, pilgrims suffer | | | Early Times Report
Katra, Dec 16: Vaishno Devi pilgrims today faced hardships as Katra town observed complete shutdown in protest against starting of new track to Bhawan.Claiming that the new track has been constructed for running battery car, the ponywalas and pithoos are protesting for the last more than one week. Meanwhile, the businessmen, traders and hoteliers today supported the ponywalas and pithoos to observe complete shutdown.The battery car service was already operational from Adh Kuwari to Bhawan.The pithoos and ponywalas under the banner of Labourer Union this morning assembled at Katra Town amid slogans against Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board authorities. They were demanding that battery car should not be started from Katra on the new track, which will effect their earnings. Shrine Board, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ajit Kumar Sahu told , "No representative from Labourers' Union so far has approached us with any kind of demand." "What they exactly want, they even did not clear to the Shrine Board," the CEO said.He however, said that rumours of purchase of battery cars by the Shrine Board by some vested interests are being spread in the town as nothing has been yet finalised. |
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