• Source:JND
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Vaishno Devi Yatra Update: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has stated that the pilgrimage to the holy shrine may finally resume on Wednesday, September 17, if weather conditions remain stable. The announcement, made on the Board’s official X handle at 8:30 PM on Tuesday, has given hope to thousands of devotees waiting in Katra for the yatra to restart after a 22-day break.

Earlier, the Shrine Board had announced plans to resume the yatra last Sunday. However, heavy rainfall forced authorities to cancel the decision at the last moment, leaving devotees disappointed. Officials explained that safety concerns on the route made it impossible to continue with the schedule.

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Despite these challenges, pilgrims at the Katra base camp have been pressing for the yatra to be allowed, even in limited numbers. But unpredictable weather conditions, with occasional spells of rain, have delayed the process repeatedly.

As of Wednesday morning, the situation depends entirely on how the weather unfolds during the day. If conditions remain clear, the pilgrimage will begin under strict monitoring. The Shrine Board has urged devotees to stay updated only through its official channels for accurate information and to avoid relying on unverified sources.

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In separate news, For nearly three weeks, the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has left thousands of apple-laden trucks stranded, causing massive losses to farmers in Kashmir. Videos of rotting apples dumped on roadsides have sparked outrage, with growers shutting mandis in protest. Kashmir produces around 80 per cent of India’s apples, making horticulture vital to its economy. The highway was damaged by landslides and floods near Udhampur, washing away long stretches of road. Despite repair attempts, traffic remains halted, crippling both civilian supply chains and Army logistics. Former CM Omar Abdullah criticised the delay and urged urgent central intervention.