CHAMBA:
Devotees traveling to the sacred Vaishno Devi shrine will soon benefit from a more scenic and shorter route, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Chamba district administration in Himachal Pradesh and the Bhaderwah region in Jammu and Kashmir.

The two neighboring regions have united to establish the "Via Chamba Vaishno Devi Yatra," a new travel corridor that connects pilgrims from Himachal to the revered shrine via Chamba, Dalhousie, and Bhaderwah.

Officials indicated that this initiative will not only shorten travel distances but also enhance religious tourism, foster socio-cultural connections between the two Himalayan states, and create new economic opportunities for local communities.

To kick off this initiative, a symbolic bike rally from Salooni in Chamba to Bhaderwah has been planned. This event aims to highlight the collaboration between the two districts.

However, due to adverse weather conditions and snowfall in the Bhaderwah area, the rally has been postponed temporarily. Officials have assured that it will take place once the weather improves.

In a significant development, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved the construction of a national highway that will connect Chamba and Bhaderwah. This 130-km route is anticipated to transform trade and tourism between Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir upon its completion.

Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal stated, "The new Chamba-Bhaderwah highway will greatly enhance accessibility for Himachali pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi, while also facilitating easier travel for residents of Jammu and Kashmir heading to Manimahesh and the Chamba valley."

Currently, pilgrims from Chamba must cover approximately 343 km to reach the Vaishno Devi temple, which includes 150 km to Pathankot, 180 km to Katra, and 13 km to the shrine. The new route will reduce this distance to 338 km, comprising 65 km from Dalhousie to Salooni, 75 km to Bhaderwah, 185 km to Katra, and 13 km to the shrine. The proposed highway could further shorten this journey.

This route will also hold strategic significance, as the Chamba-Bhaderwah link will enhance military logistics and improve connectivity in border areas. Local residents are expected to gain from new business and tourism prospects.

Repaswal added, "Coordination with the Bhaderwah administration is ongoing. Once the weather stabilizes, we will launch the Salooni-Bhaderwah bike rally to officially commence this initiative."