Srinagar: Amarnath Yatra tracks were handed over to Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in September 2022 for further maintenance and upgradation. Earlier, the yatra track from Baltal to Holy Cave was maintained by PWD (R&B) and the one from Chandanwari to Holy Cave was maintained by Pahalgam Development Authority.
The BRO in a statement issued here said that the restoration works on the tracks could however commence only in March 2023 after the necessary funds were released to it by the UT government. The basic scope of the work involved snow clearance, widening of the track, restoration of all foot bridges, fixing of hand rails, protection works at slide prone stretches and construction of breast walls and retaining walls for protection of the track. BRO has been asked to complete the restoration works by 15 Jun 2023 as the Yatra is set to commence wef 01 Jul 2023.
Snow clearance, using plant machinery, commenced on both the tracks from Baltal and Chandanwari in last week of Mar 2023. Concurrent to the progress of snow clearance of the tracks, additional plant equipment and manpower were employed for other restoration works. As on date, eight dozers/ excavators and almost 1100 labours are working on the tracks. Though, unprecedented snow and rain in the higher reaches in Kashmir during Apr & May 2023 has slowed the progress of work, BRO is committed to completing the task in time.
Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, VSM, DGBR visited Baltal and Chandanwari on Saturday and inspected the progress of work on both the Yatra Tracks. DGBR was briefed in detail by CE, Beacon on the status of various tasks being undertaken by BRO and the envisaged completion plan before the commencement of the Yatra 2023.
Speaking on the occasion, DGBR commended the Karamyogis of Project Beacon for the restoration work being executed on the tracks. He assured everyone that despite the loss of precious time due to inclement weather during April to May 2023, the tracks will be made available to the Civil Administration by 15 Jun 2023 as desired. He also informed that the restoration works for further improvement of the tracks will continue even after the completion of Yatra this year to facilitate better quality tracks for subsequent years.
BRO will rise to any challenge and live up to its ethos of “We Will Either Find Way or Make One”, the DGBR said.

KR Desk