Jammu, Aug 7: Due to essential repair work on the south Kashmir Pahalgam route, authorities have redirected the Amarnath Yatra exclusively through the north Kashmir Baltal route until its conclusion on August 19.
Officials from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) cited damage caused by recent rains along the Pahalgam-Cave shrine route as the reason. Repair efforts are currently underway, prompting this year's pilgrims to use only the north Kashmir Baltal-Cave shrine axis for the remainder of the Yatra.
On Wednesday morning, a convoy of 14 vehicles escorted 651 Yatris from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu city to the north Kashmir Baltal base camp. Since the Yatra commenced on June 29, approximately 500,000 devotees have visited the holy cave shrine as of Tuesday, surpassing last year's total of 445,000 Yatris.
The security of pilgrims has been paramount, with a significant deployment of security forces, including police and CAPFs, overseeing the entire 350 km route from Jammu to the base camps. Additional security measures have been implemented at transit camps, base camps, and the cave shrine itself to ensure the safety of all Yatris.
Local support has been instrumental as well, with residents providing ponies and acting as porters, aiding pilgrims throughout their challenging mountainous journey, often carrying those who are weak or infirm to and from the cave shrine.
