Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) on Monday commenced a special bus service to facilitate the smooth and safe movement of devotees undertaking the annual Machail Mata Yatra in Kishtwar district, officials said.
Inauguration of Service
Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma flagged off the dedicated JKRTC bus service from his office complex. This initiative aims to strengthen transportation facilities for pilgrims and local commuters of the Padder sub-division, the officials added.
Route and Schedule
The JKRTC bus will operate on the Kishtwar-Padder-Machail route and has been arranged to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims visiting the holy shrine. The bus service will operate on the Gulabgarh-Machail route every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, providing safe, affordable, and hassle-free travel facilities to pilgrims visiting the sacred shrine.
On the remaining days of the week, from Monday to Thursday, the bus will ply on the Kishtwar-Gulabgarh-Chishoti route, thereby enhancing public transport connectivity for local residents and commuters in the area.
Deputy Commissioner’s Remarks
“Machail Mata Yatra is currently underway and witnessing a significant influx of pilgrims. In view of the increasing rush of devotees and the growing demand for transportation, the dedicated JKRTC bus service has been introduced to ease congestion and address the shortage of passenger vehicles on the route,” the deputy commissioner said.
He said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring safe, affordable, and reliable transportation facilities for pilgrims and the general public. Sharma expressed confidence that the service would significantly ease travel to the holy shrine while improving connectivity to the remote areas of the Padder region.
Public Response
The initiative has been widely welcomed by pilgrims and local residents, who described it as a timely and people-centric measure that will greatly benefit commuters while supporting the smooth conduct of the Machail Mata Yatra.
