SRINAGAR : Last batch of 55 pilgrims, including 24 sadhus, left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp early this morning for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.
Now no pilgrim will be allowed on this traditional route, which
has been closed as per the decision of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board(SASB).
However, the shortest Baltal route will remain open till August 21, the concluding day of 55-day-long annual yatra which commenced from June 28.
A yatra official said 55 pilgrims left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp this morning for the holy shrine.
The yatris will cover 16 km track in vehicles to reach Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional route. However, they will have to cover 12-km-long track on foot to join the Chhari-Mubarak at Sheshnag this afternoon.
The SASB has decided that the last batch of yatris from the Pahalgam route shall be allowed to cross the Chandanwari Access Control Gate (ACG) upto 1100 hrs today. No yatri will be allowed after expiry of the deadline.
The official said 232 pilgrims left Baltal base camp early this morning for the cave shrine, adding that 81 pilgrims travelled in helicopters to the holy cave.
Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) of SASB P P Singh said the last batch of yatris from the Baltal Route will be allowed to cross the ACG at Domel Baltal route up to 0900 hrs on August 21.
However, the yatris who prefer to travel by helicopters to Panjtarni, if weather conditions permit heli-operations, will be allowed to take heli-flights upto 0900 hrs on August 21 from the Baltal and Pahalgam Heli Bases.
More than 3.52 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy cave this year against last year’s more than 6.50 lakh yatris.
The Uttrakhand tragedy was being considered as the major factor behind the drop in the number of pilgrims this time.
However, some of the measures taken by the SASB for the security of pilgrims, also affected the number of yatris.
The SASB had made it compulsory for all pilgrims to get medically examined by a registered doctor before starting the pilgrimage.
It also decided not to allow any unregistered yatri and pilgrims below the age of 13 years or above 75 years.
It is because of these measures the death toll of yatris this time was just 15 against last year’s 120, which evoked massive criticism from religious and political organisations. (AGENCIES)
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