Demonetisation drive and prevailing security situation across Jammu frontier seems to have restricted the movement of Mata Vaishnodevi bound pilgrims here in Jammu & Kashmir.
Compared to average foot fall of 18-21,000 pilgrims during the last quarter the pilgrim traffic has suddenly dropped down to less than 10,000 pilgrims a day. For last over three weeks the pilgrim traffic to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi has been witnessing steep fall in numbers.
The local businessmen and tour operators attribute the decline in numbers to the ongoing demonetisation drive and prevailing security situation in the state. On December 2, little over 8,000 pilgrims were registered by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board authorities.
Between October and November this year the pilgrim traffic has dropped down from 5.83 lakhs to 4.48 lakh recording a fall of 1.34 lakh pilgrims.
In June this year an average number of 40,000 pilgrims were registered on daily basis. The month of June saw highest number of 12.21 lakh pilgrims paying obeisance at the cave shrine. The foot fall of pilgrims started recording downward trend after July 2016.
Unrest in Kashmir valley in the aftermath of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani had brought the pilgrim traffic from 12.21 lakhs to little over 7 lakh in August.
The numbers started going down every day in the last three months. Tensions along the International border may have adversely impacted the pilgrim traffic as the region was witnessing tension after India conducted surgical strikes on September 29. More than one lakh border villagers living along the International border and the line of control were displaced due to more intense exchanges of cross border firing.
According to Shrine board authorities, “From an average foot fall of 18,000 to 21,000 between July-September the average foot fall is expected to drop down to 12,000 in this quarter”.
The hoteliers and transport industry already reeling under the impact of poor tourist season on account of four month long unrest in Kashmir valley are now bracing for dry winter season ahead due to declining numbers of pilgrims. The hoteliers are struggling to sustain themselves in the absence of presence of pilgrims in Katra. The local markets selling dry fruits, handicrafts and other products are also taking a major hit due to declining numbers.
The overall pilgrim traffic is recording a down wad trend since 2014. The pilgrim traffic dropped from 93.24 lakhs in 2013 to 78.02 lakhs in 2014 and further came down to 77.76 lakhs in 2015. This year 72.74 pilgrims have offered prayers inside the sanctum sanctorum and if the current trend continued the total footfall is expected to touch another low in the last four years.
Direct train services to Katra, base camp of cave shrine, has already robbed majority of tour operators and taxi drivers of their share of profit. The local businessmen in Katra are now hoping to welcome rush of pilgrims on the eve of New Year.