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Police issue special traffic advisory for yatra convoy, non-convoy movement
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Ensure security without disrupting routine services, says Farooq
In light of the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, the Traffic Police Headquarters J&K has issued a comprehensive traffic advisory to ensure the safety and smooth movement of Yatris and other commuters. The advisory, valid from June 28 to August 19, 2024, outlined specific cut-off timings and guidelines for various convoy and non-convoy movements.
As per the yatra convoy cut-off timings for movement between Jammu zone and Kashmir valley, the up Baltal convoy from Jammu to Baltal departure timing from Jammu will be 4 am; departure from Lamber (Banihal) 10 am; departure from Manigam5 pm.
As per the schedule for the down Baltal convoy from Baltal to Jammu, departure timing from Baltal will be 6 am and from Lamber (Banihal) it will be 11:30 am.
Advisory specified that for the Pahalgam Up convoy from Jammu to Pahalgam, departure timing from Jammu will be 4.30 am; from Lamber (Banihal) 11 am while for Down Pahalgam convoy to Jammu, departure timing from Pahalgam will be 6 am, from Nunwan, Pahalgam 6.30 am and from Lamber (Banihal) 8 am.
As per the advisory, for non-convoy Yatris or tourists from the Navyug tunnel to the Valley and vice versa, from Jammu to Pahalgam (other than the main convoy arriving from Jammu), cut-off timings for the last vehicle to cross the Navyug tunnel towards Valley will be 3 pm and for last vehicle to cross Mir Bazar towards Anantnag, it will by 4 pm. From Pantha Chowk to Manigam (other than the main convoy arriving from Jammu), cut off timing for the last vehicle to cross Peaks Crossing, Lasjan towards Manigam will be 3 pm; for the last vehicle to cross Shadipora or Sumbal towards Manigam will be 3:30 pm and for last vehicle to cross Manigam transit camp towards Baltal, cut off timing will be 5 pm.
From Baltal to Navyug tunnel (Jammu-bound other than main convoy leaving at 6 am from Baltal), cut off timing for the last vehicle to leave Baltal Base camp towards Manigam will be 9 am; for the last vehicle to cross Sonamarg Police Station towards Manigam, it will be 10 am; for last vehicle to cross Manigam Transit Camp towards Shadipora or Sumbal, it will be noon; for last vehicle to cross Shadipora crossing towards Peaks Automobile, it will be 1 pm and for last vehicle to cross Pantha Chowk towards Anantnag, the cut-off timing will be 3 pm.
From Nunwan, Pahalgam to Navyug tunnel (other than the main convoy leaving at 6.30 am from Nunwan), the cut-off timing for the last vehicle to cross Nunwan towards Jammu will be 10 am.
From Mir Bazar to Navyug tunnel (other than the main convoy leaving at 6 am from Pahalgam and 6.30 am from Nunwan), cut off timing for the last vehicle to cross Mir Bazar towards Navyug tunnel will be 5 pm; for the last vehicle to cross Walnut Factory Qazigund towards Navyug tunnel, it will be 5:30 pm.
Advisory specifying general cut-off timings and movement restrictions mentioned that no Yatri or tourist vehicle will be allowed to cross the Navyug tunnel towards Kashmir after 3 pm; from Pahalgam towards Jammu or Srinagar after 3:30 pm and from Sonamarg towards Srinagar after 4 pm.
No yatri or tourist vehicle will be allowed from Gulmarg towards Srinagar. “The yatris and tourists are advised to travel in Kashmir only between 7 am to 6 pm and should plan their travel accordingly so that they reach their destination within this period. After withdrawal of ROP at 6 pm, no vehicle of yatri or tourist will be allowed further movement. Concerned police or traffic personnel or security forces shall bring such vehicles to the nearest Yatri or security forces’ camp,” the advisory read.
This advisory is valid only for yatris, the yatra convoy and tourists. For other heavy vehicles, Light Motor Vehicles and security forces’ convoys, a daily traffic advisory is to be issued by Traffic Police.
“There is a pressing need to strike a balance so that security measures don’t throw a wrench on normal public transportation and emergency services,”
Meanwhile, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday asked the government to implement robust measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath Yatra.
However, he added that while the security of the pilgrims was crucial, it shouldn’t be at the expense of the general public. “There is a pressing need to strike a balance so that security measures don’t throw a wrench on normal public transportation and emergency services,” he said. “Restrictions on civilian vehicles along the Amarnath Yatra routes impact tourism in the Valley,” Farooq said.
