Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Department Issues Travel Advisory for Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026

Srinagar, June 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Department has released a travel advisory for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026, aimed at ensuring smooth and hassle-free movement for pilgrims.

According to the schedule, pilgrims will depart daily at 4 AM or earlier from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to the Baltal base camp in northern Kashmir. The convoy, accompanied by security, must leave Banihal for Baltal by 10 AM or earlier.

From the Manigam Transit Camp in Ganderbal district, groups will only be allowed to head towards the Baltal base camp until 5 PM.

Similarly, convoys returning from the Baltal base camp must depart no later than 6 AM. These groups should leave Banihal for Jammu by 11:30 AM or earlier.

For the Pahalgam base camp, pilgrims should leave Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas by 4:15 AM or earlier. The same group must depart from Banihal for Pahalgam by 10:45 AM or earlier.

Returning pilgrims from Pahalgam should leave no later than 6 AM, and from the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, they must depart by 6:30 AM or earlier. This group should also leave Banihal for Jammu by 8 AM or earlier.

For those not traveling in security-convoy groups, the last vehicle carrying passengers or tourists must cross the Niyog Tunnel by 3 PM. The final vehicle should depart from the Manigam Transit Camp to Baltal by 5 PM or earlier. Additionally, vehicles for non-convoy travelers must leave Sonamarg for Ganderbal by 10 AM or earlier and from the Manigam Transit Camp to Srinagar by 12 PM or earlier.

After 3:30 PM, no passenger or tourist vehicles will be allowed to travel from Pahalgam towards Jammu/Srinagar/Anantnag. Similarly, no vehicles will be permitted to leave Sonamarg for Srinagar after 4 PM, or from Gulmarg to Srinagar after 5 PM. Vehicles from Srinagar to Gulmarg will also not be allowed after 5 PM.

The traffic advisory recommends that travelers and tourists should only travel in the Kashmir Valley between 7 AM and 6 PM. After 6 PM, no vehicles will be permitted to proceed once security forces and road-opening parties have left.

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