Amarnath
cave yatra starts from July 13
Tribune News Service
SRINAGAR, July 9 - Nearly 1.20 lakh pilgrims are expected to go on annual
pilgrimage to Amarnath cave in the upper reaches of Pahalgam in Anantnag
district, which starts from July 13. The yatra will continue till August
15, when it concludes coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. Nearly 3000 pilgrims
would be allowed from Pahalgam to the cave while 500 yatris will be permitted
for "darshan" of the holy cave shrine via Baltal daily.
This was stated at a high-level meeting of the officers headed by Divisional
Commissioner, Kashmir Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Ganai at Pahalgam on Friday.
It was informed that about 18000 yatris will be on the track from Chandanwari
to holy cave while 10,000 yatris are expected to accompany the Chhari
Mubarak or the holy mace. Giving this information, the Deputy Commissioner,
Anantnag, Mr. G.A. Peer, who is also the Yatra Officer, said that the
base camp for registration of ponies, tents, labourers and dandies would
start functioning at Chandanwari from July 12.
The meeting was also attended by the Commissioner/ Secretary Tourism,
Mr. Parvez Dewan and senior police officers including the Inspector General
of Police, Kashmir Range, Dr. Ashok Bhan. The meeting was told that the
departments concerned would set up camps at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni
and holy cave. The Health Department, the meeting was told, will set up
14 medical camps on route Yatra via Pahalgam and seven camps via Baltal.
The Deputy Commissioner said that Degree College, Anantnag will be set
up as transit camp for yatris where adequate necessary arrangements will
be available. He said R&B department had made necessary repairs on
the road up to Chandanwari while Pahalgam Project Organisation (PPO) had
also completed a repair work on the track leading to holy cave.
The meeting was informed that the Food and Supplies Department will ensure
availability of adequate stock of essential commodities like rice, flour,
sugar, LPG, wheat bran and kerosene at various halting places. The JK
Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) and private agencies will pitch
tents on route the yatra for accommodating yatris and officials deployed
on duty. The PDD and PHE departments have also made adequate arrangements
of electricity and potable drinking water. For this purpose generator
sets and water tankers, will also be pressed into service.
The Telecommunication department, will ensure prompt communication regarding
weather forecast, arrival and departure of yatris to Police Control Room
(PCR) and Information Department for onward transmission to print and
electronic media and other agencies.
Measures, regarding security, traffic regulation and other related arrangements
were also reviewed. A management group was constituted at the meeting
to meet any exigency arising due to any natural calamity.
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