The Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has achieved accessibility through a motorable road for the first time. This development, aimed at enhancing the pilgrimage experience for devotees, was executed as part of a road expansion project from Dumail to the Amarnath cave. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) successfully completed this initiative.

Despite the apparent convenience it offers, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized this project, branding it a "catastrophe" and the "biggest crime" against Hindus. Their perspective underscores the differing viewpoints surrounding this endeavour. This new road connection to the Amarnath cave is a significant development that is expected to impact the annual pilgrimage and the surrounding region.

While sharing a video showing the journey of the vehicles to reach the Amarnath cave on X, the BRO said, “Project Beacon is involved in the restoration and improvement of Amarnath Yatra tracks. Border Roads personnel completed the formidable task and created history with the first set of vehicles reaching the holy cave.”

The project has faced criticism from PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan, who has voiced concerns that it is transforming religious pilgrimages into recreational destinations for "purely political motives." He also cautioned that such a transformation could potentially lead to environmental challenges and hazards.

"This is not history; it's the biggest crime one can commit to Hinduism and its faith in nature. Hinduism is all about immersing in spiritual mother nature, that's why our pilgrimages are in the lap of the Himalayas," Bhan posted on X.

“We have seen the wrath of God in Joshimath, Kedarnath, and yet we are learning no lessons instead of inviting a catastrophe in Kashmir,” he added.

The J-K unit of the BJP responded to these criticisms by asserting that the road construction had been executed following a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment, ensuring that no trees were felled during the process.

"PDP by opposing and finding faults in the road stretch, is trying to repeat the 2008 land row but people are wise enough and won't fall prey to politics of deceit again," the BJP said in a post on X.

Situated at an elevation of 12,756 feet above sea level, and approximately 141 km from the capital, Srinagar, the sacred Amarnath cave shrine is nestled in the Ladar Valley. This valley remains cloaked in glaciers and snow-covered peaks for the majority of the year. Each year, the Amarnath Yatra attracts thousands of devotees, with the most recent pilgrimage seeing over 4.5 lakh pilgrims paying their respects at the holy shrine.

Image source: India Today