Transport authorities fix road travel fares for Amarnath yatra pilgrims

With the annual Amarnath yatra in the south Kashmir Himalayas set to begin later this month, transport authorities here today fixed the fares for public transport for convenience of the pilgrims.

Amarnath pilgrims travelling from Nunwan to Chandanwari and Sonamarg to Baltal for this year's pilgrimage will have to pay the stipulated amount fixed by the travel authorities for using public transport, including mini-buses, taxis and maxi-cabs, during the trip.

According to an order issued by Transport Commissioner, the fare for mini buses from Nunwan to Chandanwari on Pahalgam route will be Rs 68 per passenger per trip, a department spokesperson said.

Taxi (petrol) fare from Nunwan to Chandanwari and from Sonamarg to Baltal has been fixed at Rs 154 per passenger per trip. Fare for Tata Sumo (diesel) on the same route has been fixed at Rs 75 per passenger per trip, he said.

The Motor Vehicle Department and Traffic Department's enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the fares fixed by the government during the yatra period, the spokesperson said.

As many as 2.13 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves for the annual pilgrimage to the 13,500-feet-high cave shrine, which will commence on June 29 and culminate on August 13.