On Monday the National Green Tribunal (NGT,) announced a restriction on the number of devotees visiting Vaishno Devi Shrine. This shrine located in Katra of Jammu and Kashmir, will host only 50,000 devotees per day.
The Green Court explained once the limit of pilgrims is reached the remaining devotees will be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra. This move was implemented to protect the cave shrine from the burden of additional pilgrims. The new constructions taking place at the shrine were stopped for the same reason.
The Court had good news for pilgrims on foot and battery car owners. A separate path leading to the shrine exclusively for the pedestrians and battery cars will open on the 24th of November.
The Vaishno Devi Shrine has experienced a number of natural disasters like the floods during the year 2014. The floods have caused severe damage to the cave structure and the NGT are working towards protecting it.
