Jammu, Sept 16: The pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended for the 22nd consecutive day on Monday from base camp Katra in Reasi district, with officials citing bad weather conditions.
The yatra, earlier scheduled to resume on September 14, was again postponed. “The commencement of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra stands postponed till further order,” an official of the Shrine Board said, urging devotees to rely only on official updates.
The pilgrimage was halted after a deadly landslide on August 26 near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, which claimed 34 lives, mostly pilgrims, and left several others injured.
In response, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also chairs the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, ordered a high-level probe. The three-member committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary (Jal Shakti) Shaleen Kabra, along with Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and IGP Jammu B. S. Tuti, has been tasked with submitting a detailed report.
Meanwhile, Shrine Board CEO Sachin Kumar Vaishya chaired a preparatory meeting on September 13 at the Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra, to review arrangements for the upcoming nine-day Navratras from September 22. He emphasized coordination among stakeholders and directed measures for smooth pilgrimage during the festival. (Agencies)
