JAMMU (TIP): The first batch of Amarnath Yatra was on June 27 flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir from Jammu. He said that due to heavy snowfall at Pahalgam- Chandanwari route the Yatra will start from Baltal route tomorrow and further review of the traditional Pahalgam route will be taken on 30 June. According to Mir, the first batch of 900 Pilgrims left the Jammu base camp.

A pilgrim, Puja Sharma, said “We have been told that due to heavy snowfall on the Pahalgam route, the Yatra will be diverted towards the Baltal route. There are no arrangements here for pilgrims like us. We are just being asked to fill forms.” Every year nearly Six Lakh pilgrims take this difficult yatra to see the snow shivlingam situated at Amarnath. This year, the yatra may prove to be bit more treacherous as the traditional route Pahalgam-Chandanwari has witnessed heavy snowfall.