Due to ongoing bad weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage remained suspended for the 11th consecutive day on Friday, officials said.
The yatra was suspended after a landslide on August 26 claimed 36 lives and left 20 others injured.
Though the weather has improved significantly, with the sun shining brightly after ten days of heavy rain, flash floods, and landslides, the authorities are yet to take a call on resuming the pilgrimage.
“Yatra is still suspended. The decision was taken by the authorities last week due to safety concerns of pilgrims,” an official said. He added that the decision to resume the yatra would only be taken after deliberations with stakeholders and the shrine board, once all aspects are assessed.
According to officials, this is the first time since COVID-19 that the yatra has been suspended for such a long period. The authorities have made it clear that they would conduct the safety audit before giving the go-ahead for the resumption of yatra.
Meanwhile, work to restore the damaged pilgrimage track and commercial structures in Katra has begun, with officials overseeing the process.
On August 26, a landslide in Adhkuwari in the Trikuta hills of the Katra belt killed 36 people and injured 20 others.
The incident triggered massive outrage after reports suggested that the Shrine Board had ignored repeated weather advisories warning of possible landslides on the tracks leading to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Meanwhile, local train services, which were started to facilitate the movement of locals and stranded passengers between Jammu and Katra, the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, also remained suspended on Friday.
Also Read: Vaishno Devi Yatra halted for sixth day after landslide
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