In a momentous development, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully broadened the road infrastructure leading to the sacred Amarnath shrine in the Jammu and Kashmir region. This significant expansion of road access has transformed the journey to the holy cave into a motorable route, marking a significant step forward for the pilgrimage.
The ambitious road widening project, spanning from Dumail to the Amarnath cave via the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district, central Kashmir, has been successfully completed. This achievement is poised to make the pilgrimage more convenient and accessible for devout visitors, as the first vehicles have now reached the shrine. The diligent efforts of the BRO personnel in accomplishing this challenging task have been recognized, and history has been created by extending road connectivity all the way to the Amarnath cave.
While showcasing a video documenting the vehicle journey to the Amarnath cave, the BRO stated, “Project Beacon is dedicated to the restoration and enhancement of Amarnath Yatra routes. The Border Roads personnel have accomplished this formidable undertaking, making history by ensuring the initial set of vehicles have reached the sacred cave.”
Until recently, the maintenance of the Baltal shrine track in Ganderbal district was overseen by the Jammu and Kashmir government’s Public Works Department (PWD), and the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) managed the Pahalgam shrine route in Anantnag district.
In September of the previous year, the responsibility for both the maintenance and upgrade of the Amarnath Yatra routes was handed over to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
However, the decision to enhance road connectivity to the holy shrine has not been without controversy. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has vehemently criticized this development, referring to it as the “greatest affront” to the Hindu faith. PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan expressed his concerns, stating, “This is not a historic achievement but rather a grievous offense against Hinduism and its deep connection with nature. Hinduism is rooted in spiritual communion with the natural world, which is why our sacred pilgrimages are nestled in the heart of the Himalayas.”
Bhan further emphasized that transforming religious pilgrimages into recreational destinations for mere political gain is deplorable. He noted the catastrophic consequences witnessed in places like Joshimath and Kedarnath, and he cautioned against inviting a similar fate to Kashmir.
Responding to the criticism, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly countered, asserting that the construction of a concrete road to the holy cave shrine was undertaken after conducting a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment. They also highlighted the fact that no trees were felled during the entire process. The BJP’s Jammu-Kashmir spokesperson, Altaf Thakur, remarked, “The shrine of Baba Amarnath holds profound significance for countless people. PDP’s opposition and criticism of the road expansion appear to mirror the 2008 land dispute, but the people are discerning enough to resist the politics of deception.”
The Amarnath shrine is situated at an elevation of 12,756 feet above sea level, approximately 141 kilometers from the capital city of Srinagar, enveloped by glaciers and snow-clad peaks throughout most of the year. The annual Amarnath Yatra attracts thousands of devoted pilgrims, and this year, over 4.5 lakh individuals embarked on the sacred journey to offer their prayers at the holy shrine.
(With contributions from multiple agencies)
