In a significant move, the government has recently imposed a ban on the sale of liquor and non-vegetarian food for 2 months in the Katra area of Jammu, which is known as the holy abode of Maa Durga. Lakhs of devotees visit the Maa Vaishno Devi temple, which is located on the hills of Katra. This order has been passed by the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board via Piyush Dhotra, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. This ban has been imposed not just on the devotees, but the residents as well which include shopkeepers too!
This order has been given under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS). The violators of this order will be brought to the courts. The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) of Jammu and Kashmir issued a press note for announcing the order, and the police department has also been informed for strict enforcement.
Where does the ban apply?
Media reports have it that all kinds of non-vegetarian foodstuffs, including eggs, chicken, meat, seafood, and all other items of animal origin, will be strictly banned. It will apply to key areas such as villages falling withina 2-kilometer radius of the road from Katra to the holy cave and adjacent roads. These are particularly Arali, Hansali, and Matyal.
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Besides, the order is also essential along the Katra-Tikri, Katra-Jammu, Katra-Reasi, and Panthal-Domel roads. The ban also extends to villages like Chamba, Serli, Bhagta, Kundorian, Kotli Bajalian, Noman, Maghal, Nau Devian, and Aghar Jitto. The purpose is to maintain the sanctity of the temple, the holy cave, and the surroundings, which millions of devotees visit every year.
New ropeway project for devotees
Not just that, but the Modi government has given its nod to a new ropeway project for the Mata Vaishno Devi devotees. When completed, the ropeway will reduce the journey from Katra to the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan to just one hour from the seven hours that devotees now take on foot. This new project is going to cost about INR 300 crore and is going to provide pilgrims with a quicker and easier route than hiring horses or helicopters to reach the temple. This move by the government is likely to improve the spiritual as well as logistics experience for devotees while preserving the sanctity of the holy place.
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