Sagar Firdous
Srinagar, Jun 24 (KNS) : The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police on Wednesday rolled out a strict traffic management plan for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2026, fixing cut-off timings for convoys and private vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and the two shrine-bound axes.
The restrictions, effective July 2 to August 28, come as the annual pilgrimage overlaps with the peak tourist season and Muharram processions in the Valley, officials said.
Issuing the advisory, Inspector General of Police, Traffic J&K, M. Suleman Choudhary laid down specific departure schedules for convoys on the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
On the Baltal axis, the UP convoy will leave Jammu at 4 am, Lamber (Bainhal) at 10 am, and Manigam Ganderbal at 5 pm. The DOWN convoy will depart Baltal at 6 am and Lamber at 11.30 am.
For the Pahalgam route, the UP convoy will start from Jammu at 4.15 am and Lamber at 10.45 am. The DOWN convoy will leave Pahalgam at 6 am, Nunwan at 6.30 am, and Lamber at 8 am.
For non-convoy and tourist vehicles, authorities have set a 3 pm deadline to cross the NAVYUG Tunnel towards the Valley, and a 4 pm cut-off to cross Mir Bazar towards Anantnag.
On the Baltal side, the last vehicle towards Manigam must cross Peaks Crossing, Lassjan by 3 pm, while the cut-off for crossing Manigam Transit Camp towards Baltal is 5 pm. Return traffic from Baltal must leave the base camp by 9 am, and the last vehicle towards Anantnag must cross Pantha Chowk by 3 pm.
From Nunwan, Pahalgam, the last vehicle towards Jammu must cross by 10 am, while vehicles crossing Mir Bazar towards NAVYUG Tunnel are permitted till 5 pm.
The advisory makes it clear that no yatri or tourist vehicle will be allowed to cross the NAVYUG Tunnel towards Kashmir after the stipulated time.
Movement from Pahalgam towards Jammu/Srinagar, from Sonamarg towards Srinagar, and from Gulmarg towards Srinagar will also be barred post 6 pm.
“After withdrawal of ROP, i.e., 1800 hours, no vehicle of yatri/tourist shall be allowed further movement. Concerned Police/Traffic/SFs shall bring such vehicles to the nearest yatri/SFs camp,” the advisory warned.
Pilgrims and tourists have been advised to travel only between 7 am and 6 pm in the Valley and plan their journey accordingly to reach their destinations within the timeframe.
With the Yatra coinciding with the tourist rush and Muharram this year, officials described it as a “unique challenge” for the administration.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, had earlier urged the media, voluntary organisations, and citizens to take collective responsibility for smooth traffic management. Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, has assured that all arrangements are in place for the seamless conduct of both the Yatra and Muharram observances.
The traffic police have issued helpline numbers for yatris and tourists: TCU Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103), TCU Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103), TCU NHW Ramban (9419993745, 1800-180-7043), and TCU Udhampur (8491928625).
The advisory, officials clarified, applies only to yatris, yatra convoys, and tourists. For other heavy motor vehicles, light motor vehicles, and security forces convoys, the public has been advised to refer to the daily traffic advisory issued by the Traffic Police. (KNS)
