The National Green Tribunal on Monday capped the number of devotees allowed to visit Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir at 50,000 each day. The court said any more people found proceeding towards the shrine would be stopped either at Ardhkumari or Katra. All new constructions taking place inside shrine complex are also stayed. Keeping in view the structural integrity of the cave shrine, the court said the burden of additional pilgrims the cave shrine could be compromised. The NGT also halted all new constructions taking place inside the shrine complex. A new path to Vaishno Devi exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from November 24, the court said.
