NGT caps number of daily devotees at Vaishno Devi to 50,000

The green body has said additional devotees would be stopped either at Ardhkumari or Katra.

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday capped the number of devotees allowed to visit Vaishno Devi shrine to 50,000 a day.

The NGT said that only 50,000 devotees would be allowed to make their way to the shrine everyday and that other devotees would be stopped either at Ardhkumari or Katra. It also stayed new constructions taking place inside the shrine complex.

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 in Vaishno Devi shrine premises in Jammu, prompting the green panel to seek response from the government on the issue.

The petitioner had expressed concern over the "pollution and danger to public health" caused by indiscriminate use of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, to carry pilgrims and goods from Katra to the Vaishno Devi temple.

Meanwhile, the NGT has been taking a close look at the impact on areas adjoining the approach road for the shrine and at the religious site as well. Last year, it had directed the CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to furnish a report giving details of the municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) installed there.