BRO starts snow clearance on Baltal-Domail road

Ganderbal, Apr 15: The snow clearance work on the Baltal-Domail road, leading to the Amarnath cave shrine is in full swing. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) initiated snow clearance along the Baltal-Domail road, the primary route leading to the Amarnath cave shrine in the Ganderbal district early this month.

The snow clearance work has been started ahead of the annual yatra which will start in the first week of July this year. Amarnathji Yatra 2025 will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) has said.

An official said that the snow clearance work was going in full swing.

He said that men and machinery had been working to clear the road on the fast track. Border Road Organization (BRO) will complete the restoration works on Amarnath Yatra track, well before the Yatra commences on July 3, 2025.

The scope of work involves snow clearance, restoration of all foot bridges, fixing of hand rails, construction of break walls etc. Earlier the yatra track from Baltal to the holy cave was maintained by Public Works Department, Jammu & Kashmir and the one from Chandanwari to Holy Cave was maintained by Pahalgam Development Authority.

The tracks were handed over to BRO in September, 2022 for maintenance and upgradation. The BRO has expertise in working on the mountainous track. At present, most of the yatris opt for the traditional route to the cave shrine via Pahalgam. The majority of the yatris prefer this route as it is not only a bit easier than the Baltal one but also scenic. On the other hand, the trek via Baltal usually takes a day to complete. Tens and thousands of pilgrims take part in the yatra every year.