The NGT also limited the number of devotees allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine to 50,000 per day.
The November 24 opening of the new track to Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu for pedestrians and battery-operated cars as directed by the green court will not go as per plan. The Supreme Court today stayed the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) order after the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board told the top court that it was not possible as it the path is still under construction.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Board, told the court that the track can only be opened by February end next year. He told the court that two paths to the shrine were already operational and this is the third path which is being built by the Board.
The bench comprising Justices MB Lokur and Deepak Gupta also issued notice to activist Gauri Maulekhi, the petitioner on whose plea the green panel had given the
direction on November 13. In her petition, Ms Maulekhi had underscored 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.
The green panel had then ordered that no horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route and limited the number of devotees allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine to 50,000 per day. The cap as well as a fine of Rs 2,000 for littering roads will, however, remain in force.