BRO restores track before Amarnath Yatra

Kashmir: Amarnath Yatra tracks were handed over to BRO in September 2022 for further maintenance and upgradation. Earlier the Yatra track from Baltal to the Holy Cave was maintained by the Public Works Department (R&B) and the track from Chandanwadi to the Holy Cave was maintained by the Pahalgam Development Authority. The basic scope of work includes snow clearance, track widening, restoration of all footbridges, fixing handrails and construction of breast wall. BRO is committed to complete the restoration works by June 15, 2023, before the commencement of the Yatra on July 1, 2023, said DG BRO

However, the restoration work on the tracks could begin only in March 2023, after the UT government released the necessary funds to the BRO. The basic scope of work included snow clearance, track widening, restoration of all footbridges, fixing handrails, protection work on slide-prone stretches and construction of breast wall and retaining wall to protect the track. BRO has been asked to complete the restoration works by 15th June 2023 as the yatra is scheduled to commence from 01st July 2023.

Snow clearance started from Baltal and Chandanwadi using plant machinery on both the tracks in the last week of March 2023. As snow clearance progressed, additional plant equipment and manpower were mobilized for other restoration work. As on date, eight dozers/excavators and around 1100 laborers are working on the tracks, helicopters were used to move equipment onto the track as the snow accumulation was very high this year as compared to previous years.

The DG BRO said that although the unprecedented snowfall and rains in the higher reaches of Kashmir during April and May 2023 have slowed down the progress of the work, the BRO is committed to complete the work on time. Lt Gen Rajeev Choudhary, DGBRO today visited Baltal and Chandanwadi and inspected the progress of work on both the Yatra Tracks. The DGBR was briefed in detail by CE, Beacon on the status of various works being carried out by BRO and the completion plan envisaged before the commencement of Yatra 2023.

On this occasion, DGBR appreciated the Karmayogis of Project Beacon for the restoration work being done on the tracks. He assured all that the desired tracks would be made available to the civil administration by 15th June 2023, despite loss of precious time due to inclement weather during April-May 2023.

He also informed that the restoration work will continue for further improvement of the tracks even after the completion of the Yatra this year to facilitate better quality track for years to come. BRO will rise to any challenge and live up to its ethos of “we will either find a way or make one”. He said that there is a plan for a motorable road from both the axes of the holy cave and the work on the plan is going on fast and will be implemented soon.