New Delhi: The National Green tribunal today has issued directives allowing only 50,000 pilgrims each day to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu adding battery operated cars and exclusive new path for pedestrians will also be open by 24 November.
The green panel has clearly directed no animals used for transportation will be allowed on this new path and the panel also plans to remove the animals used on the old path for transportation.
It has also directed the authorities to impose Rs 2,000 fine against anyone caught littering the roads or bus stop nearby the Katra town.
The bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar considering the accommodation of the Vaisho Devi Bhawan the Judge said the pilgrims if found exceeding 50,000 limit, would be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra town.
The green panels directions came after a petitioner filed a plea expressing her concerns over the “pollution and danger to public health” caused by indiscriminate use of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, to carry the pilgrims and goods from Katra to the Vaishno Devi temple.
The directions came while the Green Tribunal was hearing the plea filed by activist Gauri Maulekhi seeking orders to remove the use of transport animals on the path to the shrine.
The order said, “The new path which was constructed for Rs 40 crore should be positively opened to public by November 24. No further time will be granted and, in default, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned authorities.”
Jammu: Only 50,000 per day allowed for Vaishno Devi pilgrimage
