A fresh contingent of 3,886 pilgrims commenced their journey towards the holy Amarnath shrine early Sunday, departing from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu. This resumption follows the partial restoration of the critical Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which had been rendered impassable for two consecutive days due to incessant rainfall.
The 25th batch of pilgrims, after a one-day hiatus, departed from the Jammu base camp at 2:52 am. They are en route to Baltal, located in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir, traveling in a convoy of 177 vehicles under stringent security measures, according to official sources. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that over 4.50 lakh pilgrims have already visited the revered 3,880-meter-high holy cave shrine of Amarnath, situated in the Kashmir Himalayas, since the commencement of the annual yatra on July 3. The 57-day pilgrimage is slated to conclude on August 28.
The yatra had experienced a temporary suspension from Jammu on Saturday. This halt was necessitated by extensive damage sustained by the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at multiple locations between Jhakani in Udhampur and Banihal in Ramban, a consequence of the relentless downpour. Significant restoration work was consequently undertaken to address the damage.
Officials confirmed that the 250-kilometer highway, which serves as the sole all-weather link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, has now been partially restored. Single-carriage traffic is permissible in the most severely affected areas, notably near Dewal Bridge in the Samroli area of Udhampur. This partial restoration has enabled the Amarnath Yatra convoy to resume its passage.
While restoration efforts are ongoing, light motor vehicles were permitted to travel from Jammu on Sunday morning, marking the end of a two-day suspension for such traffic. Officials also indicated that traffic from Qazigund towards Jammu would be allowed to resume within the next few hours, once the Amarnath Yatra convoy has cleared the area. A spokesperson for the traffic police stated that heavy motor vehicles would be permitted to ply on the highway on alternate days.
In anticipation of adverse weather conditions forecast for the coming days, the traffic police have issued advisories urging commuters to verify the latest road and traffic status before embarking on their journeys along the highway. This cautionary measure aims to prevent further disruptions and ensure traveler safety.
In a related development, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Udhampur-Reasi Range, visited Samroli near Dewal Bridge on Saturday. His visit was to personally inspect the ongoing efforts to clear debris and restore the highway. During his inspection, the DIG reviewed the restoration operations being conducted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which are being supported by heavy earth-moving machinery, as reported by a police spokesman. The DIG underscored the imperative of expediting debris clearance to facilitate the swift restoration of traffic, while simultaneously prioritizing the safety of personnel involved in the restoration work.
Furthermore, the DIG engaged with local residents, listening to their concerns regarding the inconvenience caused by the highway closure. He assured them that the police, in close collaboration with the NHAI and the district administration, are making every possible effort to restore traffic at the earliest and ensure the smooth movement of commuters. The coordinated efforts highlight the multi-agency approach being adopted to mitigate the impact of the natural event and ensure the continuity of vital transportation routes and pilgrimage activities.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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