New Amarnath route via Zojila tunnel: Shortest path from Ladakh's Drass proposed

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has proposed a third route to the Amarnath cave shrine, originating from Ladakh's Drass district. The new path, which would utilise the recently opened Zojila Tunnel, is being described as the shortest and safest option for pilgrims.

BJP leader and advocate Tashi Gyalson told The Hindu that the all-weather Zojila Tunnel, measuring 14.15 km, creates an alternative approach. The trek from Minamarg in Drass to the cave shrine, located at 12,756 feet, would be approximately 5 km. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has requested a detailed report on the feasibility of this route.

According to Mr Gyalson, the proposed route has several advantages. The base camp at Minamarg is already at 10,800 feet, meaning pilgrims would need to ascend only about 1,959 feet to reach the shrine. In comparison, the Baltal base camp is at 8,999 feet, requiring a climb of around 3,000 feet, while the Pahalgam base camp at 5,702 feet demands an ascent of over 8,000 feet. The mountain gradient on the Drass route is also less steep than the existing routes in Kashmir valley.

The new route would begin at the eastern portal of the Zojila Tunnel in Minamarg, just across the mountain range from the Baltal area. Mr Gyalson noted that Minamarg offers wide valleys and safe terrain up to the cave. Pilgrims could approach from both Srinagar and Leh, completing the pilgrimage in a single day. The route could also boost economic activity in the remote Drass region, with ample space for parking and other infrastructure.

Currently, two routes exist for the Amarnath yatra. The Baltal route in Ganderbal district is a steep 14 km one-way trek. The Pahalgam route in Anantnag district is a 34 km trek. The Baltal route was opened in 1999 during the Farooq Abdullah government. The Supreme Court has set a daily limit of 10,000 pilgrims per route.

Proponents of the Ladakh route argue that it could allow rotational pilgrimage, giving each route time to rejuvenate its flora and fauna, addressing environmental concerns raised by conservationists. Pilgrims could also travel via Himachal Pradesh through the Zanskar Road to Drass.