Six lakh pilgrims to participate in upcoming Amarnath Yatra
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam on Wednesday enjoined officers to undertake preparations for an expected footfall of six lakh pilgrims during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. The 56-day yatra to the 3,880-meter high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas is scheduled to start from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal on June 28 and culminate on August 22.
Amarnath Yatra begins every year in June-July
Amarnath Yatra, an annual pilgrimage, usually starts in June-July on the traditional 36-kilometer long Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter 14-kilometer long Baltal route in Ganderbal district. It concludes in August, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
Holding capacity of transit camps to be enhanced
The Chief Secretary directed the divisional commissioners of J&K to monitor the arrangements being made in transit camps along the yatra route, particularly at Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, Anantnag, Srinagar, Baltal, and Chandanwari. Deputy commissioners were directed to enhance the holding capacity of transit camps to accommodate approximately 1.22 lakh yatris daily, including both the cave-bound and those on the return journey.
Arrangements to be made based on weather extremities
The Chief Secretary reviewed the arrangements for the safe and secure movement of pilgrims, particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, Baltal, and Chandanwari yatra tracks to the holy cave. Directions were issued to appropriately ramp up the holding capacities, accommodations, and public utilities across the route from Lakhanpur to the holy cave and vice-versa, with special attention to arrangements in consideration of weather extremities.
All preparations should start in first week of April
The Chief Secretary asked the divisional commissioners to ensure the availability of basic amenities at transit camps, besides ensuring adequate provisions all along the route. The officials were asked to project additional requirements of resources to the tourism department for timely projection and approval. It was impressed upon the concerned to initiate the implementation of plans and projects in the first week of April.
