According to the Joint Police Control Room (JPCR), Base Camp Bhagwati Nagar, a total of 4,812 pilgrims departed in a convoy of 259 vehicles. The Baltal axis convoy left at 3:00 am, while the Pahalgam axis convoy departed at 3:24 am.
Official figures showed that 2,041 pilgrims opted for the shorter Baltal route, while 2,771 pilgrims chose the traditional Pahalgam route.
The batch comprised 3,434 male pilgrims, 966 female pilgrims, 11 children, 244 sadhus, and 157 sadhvis.
The convoy included 95 buses, 47 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 116 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and one two-wheeler.
The Yatra is proceeding under a multi-layer security cover provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other security agencies. Medical teams, ambulances, and escort vehicles have also been deployed to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
By Saturday morning, the Baltal-bound convoy had reached the Lambar Ground langar site in Banihal for a scheduled breakfast halt, while the Pahalgam-bound convoy reached the Chanderkote langar site in Ramban for breakfast. After the halt, the pilgrims will continue their journey to the twin base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan in Anantnag district, from where they will commence the trek to the holy Amarnath cave shrine.
Authorities have advised motorists to follow traffic advisories issued during the movement of Yatra convoys to ensure smooth and safe passage on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
