NGT: Only 50,000 pilgrims will be allowed at Vaishno Devi per day
National Green Tribunal said on Monday, only 50,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu to avoid any untoward incident. November 24 onwards, the green panel also said that a new path to the shrine exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened. The Bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, made it clear that if the number of pilgrims exceeds the prescribed 50,000 cap, they will be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra town, considering that the Vaishno Devi Bhawan structure cannot accommodate more than 50,000 persons. The green panel’s directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by an activist seeking directions to stop the use of horses and ponies on the Vaishno Devi shrine premises in Jammu, prompting the green panel to seek response from the government on the issue. “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 authorities concerned.” it said. -PTC News
