Jammu & Kashmir launches special Somnath train and readies Amarnath Yatra 2026

On June 29, Jammu‑Kashmir Transport Minister Satish Sharma flagged off a special train from Jammu to Somnathan, providing 140 seats for residents to visit the Gujarat shrine as part of the "Somnath Swabhiman Yatra‑2026". Pilgrims expressed enthusiasm, with one saying, "I am going for the first time".

Separately, senior officials conducted a pre‑march rehearsal for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage. The convoy, led by Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Police IG Bhim Sen, departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on the Jammu‑Srinagar highway to assess security, logistics and inter‑agency coordination. The six‑week trek, beginning July 3, will follow two routes: the 48 km Pahalgam path and the 14 km Baltal path.

Baramulla police issued a traffic advisory restricting tourist vehicles on the Gulmarg‑Srinagar road after 5 p.m. during the Yatra, urging compliance to ensure smooth movement of pilgrim convoys and public safety.