Route clear, pilgrims resume Amarnath Yatra

Traffic movement to the holy shrine resumed as part of the highway that was damaged due to the multiple landslides was restored on Saturday evening.

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CRPF personnels stand guard as Pilgrims cross the mountains as they move towards Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine. (Source: PTI)

The annual Amarnath yatra resumed on Saturday from the Baltal route in Central Kashmir after remaining closed for three days due to closure of Srinagar-Leh highway which leads to the Baltal base camp.

“We have allowed fresh batch of vehicles to move towards Baltal base camp from Srinagar today,” said Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Showkat Ajaz. “The same batch of pilgrims will be allowed to move towards the holy cave tomorrow morning.”

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Ajaz said that the Srinagar-Leh Highway has been restored for vehicular movement. “The highway that was demaged due to the multiple landslides was restored on Saturday evening and we have started to ply the traffic on the highway.”

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On Thursday, heavy rains and thunderstorm had caused cloud burst at picturesque Sonamarg, Kulan and Gagangir villages, killing six persons. The cloudburst that caused landslides had blocked the Srinagar-Leh highway.

The Amarnath yatra has two treks, the traditional Pahalgam route and the shortest Baltal trek. Most often, the pilgrims choose the Baltal, which is 14 km from the base camp. The other trek of Pahalgam, which passes via 14500 feet high Mahagunus Pass to the cave, is approximately 30 km from the base camp.

According to the officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), so far 2,39,026 pilgrims have performed yatra of the Ice Lingam at the Holy Cave. The yatra that commenced on July 2 will conclude on August 29.

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