Amarnath yatra resumes as 3,886 pilgrims leave Jammu after highway reopening. Details
The Amarnath Yatra resumed on Sunday after the Jammu-Srinagar Highway (NH-44) reopened for limited traffic following two days of closure caused by heavy rain. A
The Amarnath Yatra resumed on Sunday after the Jammu-Srinagar Highway (NH-44) reopened for limited traffic following two days of closure caused by heavy rain. A fresh batch of 3,886 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu at 2.52 am in a convoy of 177 vehicles under tight security, heading towards the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. The resumption comes after major restoration work on damaged stretches of the highway, allowing the annual pilgrimage to continue. Read Full Story YATRA RESUMES AFTER HIGHWAY REOPENS Officials said this was the 25th batch of pilgrims to leave Jammu since the yatra began on July 3.
The 57-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 28. So far, more than 4.50 lakh pilgrims have paid their respects at the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine in the Kashmir Himalayas. NH-44 OPENS FOR LIMITED TRAFFIC The yatra from Jammu had been suspended on Saturday after incessant rain damaged several stretches of the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar Highway between Jhakani in Udhampur and Banihal in Ramban. Officials said the worst-hit stretch near Dewal Bridge in the Samroli area of Udhampur has now been restored for single-carriage traffic. While repair work is still underway, light motor vehicles were allowed to travel from Jammu on Sunday morning after the two-day closure.
Traffic from Qazigund towards Jammu will resume after the Amarnath Yatra convoy passes through the area. Heavy motor vehicles will be allowed only on alternate days, officials said. The traffic police have also advised commuters to check the latest road and traffic updates before travelling, especially as more rain is expected over the coming days. RESTORATION WORK CONTINUES Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma visited Samroli near Dewal Bridge on Saturday to inspect debris clearance and restoration work. He reviewed the work being carried out by the Highways Authority of India (NHAI) using heavy earth-moving machinery and stressed the need to clear debris quickly while ensuring workers' safety.
The officer also met local residents affected by the highway closure and assured them that the police, NHAI and district administration are working together to restore normal traffic movement as quickly as possible. (PTI inputs) Ends
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