Katra 05 September :- For the eleventh consecutive day on Friday, the revered pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi remains suspended as authorities prioritize a massive safety and restoration drive following a catastrophic landslide that struck the region on August 26.
The decision to extend the halt, one of the longest since the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the severity of the damage to the pilgrimage route and the administration’s unwavering commitment to pilgrim safety. The tragic incident in the Adhkuwari area of the Trikuta hills resulted in the loss of 34 pilgrim lives and left 20 others injured.
While the weather in the Reasi district has shown significant improvement after ten days of relentless heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides, officials are exercising extreme caution. The bright sunshine has not yet prompted a green light for resuming the yatra.
A senior official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, “The yatra is still suspended. This is due to the decision taken by authorities last week, keeping in view the paramount safety of pilgrims. The decision to resume the yatra will be taken at an appropriate time after a thorough assessment of all aspects.”
The extended suspension period is being utilized to conduct comprehensive restoration work on the damaged track that leads to the shrine. The landslide also impacted several commercial structures in the Katra belt, the base camp for the pilgrimage, which require stabilization and safety checks. Engineering teams are on the ground assessing the stability of the hillsides and reinforcing vulnerable sections to prevent any future mishaps.
As the restoration work continues, millions of devotees await the announcement to resume their spiritual journey, trusting that the authorities will only do so once every possible safety measure is firmly in place.