Amarnath Yatra Crosses 4.22 Lakh Pilgrims as Baltal Route Remains Open, Pahalgam Track Under Repair
he annual Amarnath Yatra has crossed the 4.22 lakh pilgrim mark, with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Ashul Garg, confirming on Monday that more than 4.22 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The pilgrimage is currently continuing through the Baltal route, while restoration work on the Pahalgam track remains in progress following recent rainfall and damage.
Yatra Operating as Per Safety Protocols
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Ashul Garg said the pilgrimage is being conducted strictly according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
He said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) weather advisories and the condition of the trekking routes are carefully reviewed before allowing pilgrims to proceed.
“The Yatra is allowed only after assessing the IMD weather advisory and the condition of the tracks,” Garg said.
He noted that the pilgrimage had remained suspended over the past few days due to adverse weather, and subsequent inspections found that repair work was required on the Pahalgam route, which is being carried out by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Baltal Route Handling Pilgrim Movement
Despite the temporary closure of the Pahalgam route, the Baltal axis has remained operational over the past two days.
Officials said the pilgrimage has continued smoothly through Baltal under close supervision by:
- Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs)
- Health Department
- Sanitation staff
- Camp commanders
- District administration
- Other stakeholder departments
📊 Amarnath Yatra Update
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Total Pilgrims | Over 4.22 lakh |
| Baltal Route | Open |
| Pahalgam Route | Under restoration |
| Restoration Agency | Border Roads Organisation (BRO) |
| Weather Monitoring | IMD advisories followed daily |
Daily Review Meetings on Weather
The Divisional Commissioner said review meetings are held every evening with officials from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and other departments to assess weather forecasts and track conditions.
The administration takes a decision each day based on the IMD forecast and the safety of the routes before permitting the movement of pilgrims.
Pahalgam Route to Reopen Only After Safety Clearance
Ashul Garg said restoration work on the Pahalgam track is progressing, but its completion depends largely on weather conditions.
He warned that fresh rainfall could delay repairs, adding that the longer Pahalgam route requires extensive restoration.
According to officials, the route will reopen only after it is fully repaired and declared safe for pilgrims.
No Pilgrims Stranded at Nunwan
The Divisional Commissioner said there are no pilgrims currently stranded at the Nunwan base camp.
Pilgrims who had earlier been halted there have already been facilitated to continue their journey.
Fresh convoys arriving from Jammu, including those reaching by train, are currently being directed straight to the Baltal base camp to avoid inconvenience.
Baltal Base Camp Has Sufficient Capacity
Officials said the Baltal base camp had earlier expanded its holding capacity to accommodate 40,000 to 45,000 pilgrims due to an increase in unregistered yatris.
Currently, around 15,000 to 20,000 pilgrims are arriving daily, which is approximately 50% of the camp’s total capacity.
Authorities said the camp has adequate facilities to manage the present inflow, and further arrangements will be made if the number of pilgrims increases.
