Reasi, May 21 -- In a positive development for the local economy and pilgrimage infrastructure, thousands of palanquin (palki) owners, pony and pithoo owners have begun returning to their work at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, resuming their vital role in assisting pilgrims on their spiritual journey.

Over 5,000 pony handlers and palki owners from across Jammu and Kashmir are traditionally involved in facilitating the yatra, offering essential transport and support services to devotees, especially along the challenging terrain leading up to the sacred shrine.

Due to a sharp decline in pilgrimage footfall in recent times -- largely influenced by tensions between India and Pakistan -- many of these workers had temporarily left Katra i...