Unregistered pilgrims, travelling without radio-frequency identification will not be allowed to move to Kashmir from the Navyug tunnel

Due to security concerns, travellers and pilgrims are not permitted to cross into Kashmir from the Banihal region of Ramban district beyond the cutoff time of 3.30 PM, reports said on Friday.

The police action was ordered as a result of unregistered Amarnath pilgrims visiting the Valley under the pretence of tourists and triggering security issues in light of increased security risks, a police official was quoted as having said by a news gathering agency.

Ramban’s Superintendent of Police, Mohita Sharma told reporters here that unregistered pilgrims, travelling without RIFD (radio-frequency identification), and devotees travelling under the guise of tourists will not be allowed to move to Kashmir from Navyug tunnel (in Banihal area) after cut-off time of 3:30 PM.

Tourists and pilgrims to Amarnath would not be permitted to go in their cars towards Kashmir after 3:30 PM from the Banihal tunnel and after 1.30 PM from Chandrakot for security concerns.

The police officer, however, did say that local traffic, including trucks, will continue to ply as usual.

The SP added that Yatri Niwas in Chandrakot had provided accommodations for the pilgrims who were halted at Chandrakot after 1.30 PM.

When asked about limits on local traffic on the highway during the Yatra, Sharma said that local cars, including those transporting employees, patients, and school children, are being permitted one at a time.

Advisory issued for Yatris in Pahalgam, Sonamarg

In the meantime, authorities in Pahalgam have issued advisory for hotels, restaurants and guest houses within the jurisdiction of Police Station Pahalgam.

The Station House Officer of Police Station Pahalgam issued an advisory, stating that all vehicles heading from Pahalgam to Srinagar must cross AL-stop by 4 PM and must depart from Pahalgam by 1400 hours.

Every day at 12:30 PM, Betab Valley will be closed to visitors, and all hoteliers are instructed to have their guests leave by 1:30 PM.

A warning on the cutoff time from Sonamarg to Srinagar has also been issued by Police Station Sonamarg.

1500 hours will be the cutoff time for tourist cars to pass Shutkadi Bridge and truck yard into Srinagar. In addition, 1000 hours will be the cutoff time for Yatra vehicles to cross Shutkadi Bridge toward Srinagar.

Additionally, a cutoff time of 0900 hours will apply for Yatra vehicles to cross Baltal/Y-Junction/Nilgrath.