Jammu: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra from Katra in Reasi district remained suspended for the 17th consecutive day on Wednesday due to landslides along the pilgrimage track.
The suspension followed the August 26 tragedy, when a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains near Indraprastha Bhojnalaya at Ardhkuwari claimed 34 lives, mostly pilgrims, and left several others injured.
The Katra trader community has urged the Shrine Board to clarify when the pilgrimage will resume, especially with the Navratras beginning on September 22.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also chairs the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has set up a three-member high-level committee to probe the causes of the landslide. The panel, headed by Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department Shaleen Kabra, includes Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police (Jammu) B.S. Tuti. It has been tasked with submitting a detailed report to the LG within two weeks.
