Start of Amarnath yatra from 'Pahalgam route' deferred

Shri Amarnath Shrine Board today decided to defer the start of annual yatra to the holy cave shrine "from the traditional Pahalgam route by three days" as the track has not been completely cleared of snow yet.
However, the yatra is expected to commence from the shorter Baltal route on schedule this weekend (June 28).
"After detailed discussions, the meeting, chaired by Governor N N Vohra, decided that keeping in view the considerable snow accumulation in the entire area of the Sheshnag yatra Camp, and also keeping in view the present status of the track from Sheshnag Camp-Mahagunus Pass- Panjtarni Camp, the yatra via the Pahalgam-Sheshnag route would not commence on June 28," an official spokesman said.

The Governor, who is the chairman of the SASB, directed that the pace of the ongoing clearing of snows and repair and renovation work should be further enhanced and he would review the progress every day.
"It was decided that a further meeting, chaired by the Governor, would be held on June 30 to review whether the Pahalgam route could be opened on July 1," the spokesman said.
He said it was also decided that the pilgrims who are registered to undertake the yatra from the Pahalgam route from June 28-30 would be allowed to perform the pilgrimage from Baltal route, if they desired so.

The spokesman said in 2013-14 winter, the Himalayan mountain ranges in the entire yatra area witnessed very heavy snowfall.
"The very large accumulation of snow in the yatra area, and the slow rate of snow-melting, has caused serious concern to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board whose officers have been undertaking regular assessments of the ground situation," he said.