Jammu, July 11, 2023: The Amarnath Yatra faced yet another day of suspension on Tuesday as the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, particularly the Ramban section, due to extensive damage caused by incessant rains, left around 15,000 pilgrims stranded in Jammu and other locations.
The authorities cited the unprecedented damage caused to the highway as the reason for its closure on Monday, resulting in the suspension of the yatra for traffic. Despite the setback, the pilgrims remain resolute and hopeful, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to visit the revered Amarnath cave shrine.
“The yatra has not yet resumed from Jammu. It is still suspended due to the closure of the highway. No fresh batch was allowed to move towards Kashmir from the Jammu base camp on Tuesday,” a senior officer stated.
Traffic authorities issued an advisory, acknowledging the administration’s and the National Highways Authority of India’s collective efforts in improving the road condition. However, complete restoration is anticipated to require more time, leading to the decision to suspend traffic on the highway on Tuesday.
As a result of the yatra’s suspension, approximately 8,000 pilgrims find themselves stranded in Jammu, primarily at the Bhagwatinagar base camp. Additionally, around 6,000 pilgrims are stuck at the Chanderkot base camp in the Ramban district, with another 2,000 stranded at the Kathua and Samba camps.
While more pilgrims continue to arrive in Jammu for their onward journey, authorities are making arrangements for their accommodation in various lodging centers. Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and deputy commissioners are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring the well-being of the stranded pilgrims.
The resumption of the yatra from Jammu hinges upon the complete repair of the highway, as affirmed by Divisional Commissioner Kumar. However, the pilgrimage from the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir, which was previously suspended due to adverse weather conditions, resumed on Sunday.
The 250-kilometer Jammu-Srinagar highway serves as the vital all-weather road connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country. Ramban district administration officials are diligently working towards restoring traffic on the highway, which currently has around 5,000 stranded vehicles between Ramban and Lakhanpur.
The annual Amarnath Yatra, spanning 62 days, began on July 1 and has witnessed a total of 43,833 pilgrims embarking on the journey from the Jammu base camp in seven batches. The pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 31.
