Devotees heading for the Amarnath Yatra will have access to free bus and taxi services around the clock, starting at 5 AM..

Jammu, the 'City of Temples,' has once again demonstrated its large-heartedness. Devotees of Lord Shiva arriving from across the country for the Shri Amarnath Yatra will now enjoy a free shuttle service from the Jammu Railway Station to the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp. Upholding the tradition of *Atithi Devo Bhava* (treating the guest as God), the All Jammu & Kashmir Transport Welfare Association has launched a free minibus service. Two minibuses will transport pilgrims free of charge from the railway station to the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp daily between 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM. This service will continue until the conclusion of the pilgrimage. Vijay Singh Chib, President of the All Jammu & Kashmir Transport Welfare Association and the Minibus Employees' Association, stated that the decision to provide free bus service was made during a meeting four days ago. The service has commenced today and will operate throughout the duration of the Yatra.

**Free Taxi Service for Devotees**
The Taxi Operators' Association at the railway station also launched a free taxi service using 10 taxis, starting at 3:00 PM. President Devendra Chaudhary stated that these 10 taxis would be available to passengers round-the-clock; pilgrims need to contact the Taxi Operators' Association to avail of this service. Transport Commissioner Special Pal Mahajan, attending as the chief guest, flagged off the first minibus in the presence of Jammu Regional Transport Officer Jasmeet Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Shailendra Singh, and association office-bearers. This bus will remain deployed to serve passengers and transport them to their destinations.

President Devendra Chaudhary stated that these 10 taxis would be available to passengers round-the-clock; pilgrims need to contact the Taxi Operators' Association to avail of this service.

**Transport Commissioner Expresses Gratitude**
Special Pal Mahajan remarked that complaints regarding passenger vehicles charging arbitrary fares from pilgrims are already being received. He stated that this is inappropriate. Jammu is the 'City of Temples,' and service should be rendered with the spirit of *Atithi Devo Bhava*. He appealed to other organizations to also join in this noble cause. Administration appeals to pilgrims to undertake the yatra only on their registered dates

The Jammu and Kashmir administration clarified on Friday that no pilgrim would be permitted to undertake the Amarnath Yatra prior to their registered date; it urged pilgrims to wait for their turn and travel only on the date assigned to them. An advisory issued by the administration stated that, in accordance with Supreme Court directives, a maximum daily limit on the number of pilgrims along the yatra route has been fixed. "Adherence to this daily limit is mandatory for the safety of pilgrims and the smooth conduct of the yatra," the advisory noted.

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