The Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu & Kashmir continued its “Save Jammu’s Trade & Jobs—Make Jammu Tawi a Major Rail Terminal” signature campaign in Karan Market to Purani Mandi.
During the campaign, local traders urged the party to seek the opening of a Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra registration counter at Raghunath Temple.
Shiv Sena J&K president Manish Sahni said the party would take up the demand on priority. He said a registration facility at the historic temple would encourage pilgrims to stay in Jammu, visit Raghunath Temple and spend time in local markets, hotels, taxis and other services, thereby giving a direct boost to the city’s trade and employment.
Sahni said a memorandum would soon be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, who is also Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and the Shrine Board CEO, seeking the registration counter.
He stressed that the economic benefits of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage should not remain confined to Katra and that Jammu must receive its rightful share of pilgrimage-driven tourism and business.
Sahni also reiterated the demand to make Jammu Tawi a major and final terminal for long-distance trains, along with regular connecting train services from Jammu to Katra, Srinagar and other major destinations.
“Stopping trains in Jammu is not enough; we must stop passengers and pilgrims here. Jammu should not remain a transit point—it must emerge as a major hub of religious tourism and trade.”