Udhampur-Katra track not to affect yatri flow in Jammu: Govt

"The government has been taking various steps to ensure that the yatri flow to Jammu remains steady even after the construction of Udhampur-Katra rail link," Minister for Higher Education and Employment Abdul Gani Malik said while replying a question in the Legislative council here.

The work on the Udhampur-Katra rail section is apace and expected to be made operational by the year end, providing a direct link to the lakhs of pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine to the Katra base camp.

"Multiple tourist attractions have been developed in Jammu city including conservation of Mubarak Mandi heritage complex, 18 hole Golf Course Sidhra, beautification of River Tawi Front and construction of Artificial lake as part of the government efforts to ensure steady flow of tourists to the winter capital," Malik said.

Jammuites are apprehensive that the completion of the rail link will deprive them of business opportunities as the pilgrims will prefer to reach Katra directly without the usual night stay in the city.

As many as 82.44 lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, nestled in Trikuta hills, during the first nine months of this year.

A record number of over one crore pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine last year.