Baltal, Jul 25: The annual Amarnath Yatra resumed on Saturday after remaining suspended for six consecutive days due to heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir, even as the administration temporarily closed the Pahalgam axis for repair and maintenance work, allowing the pilgrimage to continue only through the Baltal route.
Officials said a fresh batch of more than 6,000 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for the Baltal base camp in Kashmir Valley after the Yatra was resumed.
The pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas had been suspended on July 19 as a precautionary measure following incessant rains that triggered landslides, shooting stones and unsafe conditions along the trekking routes.
Officials said the decision to resume the pilgrimage was taken after a marked improvement in weather conditions and the completion of essential track restoration works. Pilgrims have been advised to strictly follow safety advisories issued by security agencies and the civil administration.
The Yatra also resumed after the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway became trafficable following a three-day closure caused by landslides and shooting stones at multiple locations along the Udhampur-Ramban stretch.
Officials said over 3.95 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine since the 57-day pilgrimage commenced on July 3. Around 20,000 pilgrims who had been stranded at various transit camps during the six-day suspension have also resumed their journey.
A multi-layered security grid comprising the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army continues to remain deployed along the pilgrimage route to ensure the safety of devotees.
The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
Meanwhile, the administration has temporarily suspended the pilgrimage through the traditional Pahalgam route to facilitate urgent repair and restoration works necessitated by the recent spell of heavy rain.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, said the recent weather had caused damage requiring immediate maintenance on the Pahalgam axis.
“Due to the recent rains, urgent repair and maintenance works are required to be carried out on the Pahalgam Axis of Shri Amarnathji Yatra. The Yatra shall continue through the Baltal Axis, for which adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage,” Garg said in a statement.
He said comprehensive arrangements have been made along the Baltal route to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the Yatra and the safe movement of pilgrims.
“As of Saturday, more than 3.95 lakh pilgrims have undertaken darshan at the Holy Amarnath Cave Shrine during this year’s Yatra, reflecting the successful and peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage,” he added.
