Amarnath Yatra, the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath, has been temporarily suspended due to a landslide on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district. This decision was made by the officials in charge of the pilgrimage on Wednesday. The Yatra will also be halted from the Pantha Chowk yatra base camp to Jammu, and it will resume once the national highway is clear for traffic movement.
The Jammu and Kashmir traffic police have informed the public that the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is currently blocked due to a landslide at T2 Marog Ramban. They have advised people not to travel on NH-44 without confirmation from the Traffic Control Unit (TCU).
The Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 1 and lasts for 62 days, will conclude on August 31, 2023. However, with the current suspension, pilgrims will have to wait until the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is deemed safe for travel before they can continue their journey.
In the meantime, security arrangements are being reviewed for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations and the Budda Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to start on August 17. The Additional Director General of Police of Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh, along with the Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and DIG Rajouri Poonch Range Haseeb Mughal, recently conducted a security review meeting with the police and civil administration to assess the security scenario.
During the meeting, the officers were briefed about security measures and other related issues by SSP Poonch Vinay Kumar and DC Poonch Yaseen Mohd Choudhary. Later, the Additional Director General of Police and Divisional Commissioner met with members of the civil society in Poonch. Prominent lawyers and elected representatives participated in the meeting, where they expressed their willingness to cooperate for the smooth conduct of the Independence Day celebrations and the peaceful execution of the yatra.
The temporary suspension of the Amarnath Yatra due to the landslide on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has inconvenienced pilgrims who were eagerly undertaking this important religious journey. While the authorities focus on clearing the highway and ensuring the safety of travelers, pilgrims must patiently wait for the Yatra to resume. The security arrangements for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations and the Budda Amarnath Yatra are also being consolidated to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for all participants.
