To avoid possibility of any mishap, National Green Tribunal (NGT) put restrictions on the number of pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine to 50,000 per day. NGT also directed to open new separate path for pedestrians from November 24 at a cost of Rs 40 crore.
NGT Directions:
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was also directed by NGT to remove mules or horses gradually from the road and to replace them with battery operated vehicles.
A fine of Rs. 20,000 will be imposed if anyone found littering the roads and bus stop in the nearby area of Katra town.
The tribunal has also asked to stop any kind of construction activities around the Bhawan and asked to form a committee that will check excessive traffic in Katra town.
The order to restrict number of pilgrims on daily basis to 50,000 came after Justice Swatanter Kumar observed that Bhawan or the peak where the shrine is located have capacity to accommodate 50,000 people maximum.