The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has made considerable strides in improving the infrastructure for the annual Amarnath Yatra, enhancing the pilgrimage experience for thousands of devotees. Key routes leading to the revered shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, namely Chandanwari and Baltal, have undergone significant widening, expanding from their original dimensions of 3-4 feet to a safer 12 feet.
Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, the Director General of BRO, conveyed the news during a recent address, marking the initiative as a significant contribution to a spiritually important endeavor. “We are very fortunate and blessed as the BRO to be associated with projects involving religious destinations in the extreme parts of our northern borders,” he stated, highlighting the importance of their work in facilitating religious travel in challenging terrains.
The BRO has taken on the responsibility of enhancing a total stretch of 45 kilometers. This undertaking was carried out using advanced technical methods aimed at preserving the region’s unique geological conditions and ecological sensitivities. Lt Gen Srinivasan assured that every effort has been made to safeguard the ecological balance given the area’s religious significance.
In addition to the road widening, the BRO has introduced safety measures by installing handrails along 32 kilometers of the pilgrimage routes. This initiative aims to support pilgrims traversing the difficult landscape, ensuring their safety as they navigate towards the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath Ji.
Pilgrims have responded positively to these improvements, particularly noting the upgraded arrangements and increased security, especially along the Pahalgam route. Many have expressed that they feel more secure and supported during their spiritual journey.
On a related note, Union Minister Jitendra Singh mentioned that nearly 26,000 to 27,000 pilgrims have already completed the Yatra this year. He reassured the public that concerns regarding a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam would not deter the spirit of the pilgrimage. The high turnout is indicative of the trust and confidence that the public places in the government’s security and logistical arrangements, which are overseen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
