JAMMU, July 10: The Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine, remained suspended from Jammu for the third consecutive day on Monday due to significant damage caused to a section of the Jammu-Srinagar Highway in Ramban, according to officials. Over 6,000 pilgrims are currently stranded at the Bhagwatinagar base camp in Jammu, while another 5,000 are stranded at the Chanderkot base camp in Ramban district.
A senior officer stated, “The yatra remains suspended from Jammu due to the poor condition of the highway. No fresh batch has been allowed to proceed towards Kashmir from the Jammu base camp today.” Additional pilgrims arriving in Jammu are being accommodated in various lodging centers, while some have been directed to camps in Lakhanpur and Chichi Mata in Kathua and Samba districts to alleviate congestion in Jammu.
The closure of the highway was prompted by heavy rainfall over the weekend, which resulted in unprecedented damage, particularly in Ramban district. As restoration efforts continue, with a focus on areas like Panthyal and Seri, traffic movement on the highway remains restricted on Monday. Updates on the situation will be provided later in the evening.
The resumption of the yatra will be dependent on the restoration of vehicular traffic between Jammu and Kashmir divisions. Until then, authorities have advised people to refrain from traveling on the highway until confirmation is issued by the administration. Heavy motor vehicles have been instructed to utilize the Mughal Road for travel between Jammu and Srinagar.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, along with deputy commissioners, is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that stranded individuals do not encounter any difficulties. On Sunday, the Amarnath yatra resumed from the Panjtarni and Sheshnag base camps after a three-day suspension due to inclement weather in Kashmir, officials reported.
