SRINAGAR : Despite cloudy sky, the pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine was progressing smoothly although the number of yatris had dropped again due to prevailing situation in the Kashmir valley, where life remained crippled for the 14th day today due to uncertainty.
However, the pilgrims paying obeisance at the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas said they have not confronted any difficulty during the pilgrimage and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh also confirmed that fortunately there was no report of any attack on any pilgrim since the commencement of the 48-day-long yatra from July 2 from both shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam routes.
A yatra official said that the pilgrimage was going on smoothly as fresh batches of yatris, including women, children and sadhus, left Nunwan Pahalgam and Baltal base camps for the cave shrine, where about 100 had paid obeisance since this morning. He said 5569 pilgrims had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam yesterday. With this a total of 1.94 lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country had paid obeisance and majority of them have since returned to their homes.
The official said that about 900 pilgrims have left Baltal base camp early this morning for the cave shrine. The yatris are likely to reach the cave shrine after covering the hilly terrain on foot this afternoon. However, some of the pilgrims, particularly elders, are covering the distance on horse back and Palhies or dandies.
Meanwhile, pilgrims who had paid obeisance and stayed at the cave shrine for the night have also started their return journey. Another batch of pilgrims left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track today.
The number of pilgrims will be known only after 1100 hrs when the gate will be closed. Meanwhile, after night halt at Chandanwari, the pilgrims will start their onward journey towards the cave shrine early in the morning tomorrow.
The pilgrims who had night halt at different halting station on traditional track have also started their journey this morning.
Meanwhile, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has appreciated the progressively increasing number of pilgrims who are securing Advance Registration with a corresponding decrease in On-Spot Registration.
The Board also noted with satisfaction that the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has this year deputed a good number of doctors from prestigious institutions like AIIMS, PGIMER, Safdarjung and RML Hospitals to assist the medical arrangements for the Yatra.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SASB P K Tripathi said that the available doctors on duty have been instructed to assist Yatris on the tracks and particularly check the vital parameters of those showing symptoms of illness.
Meanwhile, Governor N N Vohra, who is also chairman of the SASB and other members have been apprised about a plan of laying of Optical Fiber Cable along both the Yatra routes which will further strengthen the telecommunication facilities during the future Yatras.
The availability of band width at Holy Cave, Panjtarni and Sheshnag on traditional route has been augmented by establishing VSATs for the ongoing Yatra. To further improve connectivity at the two Base Camps two VSATs are being set up by BSNL at Baltal and Chandanwari .
Mr Tripathi said that the “Pratham Pooja” was organized by the Board at Chandanwari on June 20, on the auspicious occasion of Jyesth Poornima and this year’s Yatra which is of 48 days duration, began on July 2 will be concluded on August 18, 2016, Rakshabandan. About the progressively enhancing facilities for Yatris, CEO informed that this year 425 toilets and 140 bathrooms were added to the already existing number.
The Camp Directors have been instructed for daily monitoring and inspections of the Camps, toilets and baths to effectively ensure sanitation and hygiene in the Camps. Further, all registered Yatris are being informed daily about the Do’s and Dont’s, weather forecasts and other advisories relating to the Yatra.
This is being done through the SMS service. Mr Tripathi said that PWD and Pahalgam Development Authority have been maintaining the Northern and Southern tracks in the Yatra area respectively with special emphasis on erecting railings at all vulnerable places along the two tracks.
Mr Vohra has directed CEO to ensure that all arrangements are timely in place so that the remaining work is taken up in the post Yatra period, immediately after conclusion of the Yatra on August 18, 2016.
He called for sustained efforts to further improve the facilities provided to the pilgrims who undertake this annual pilgrimage. He said the SASB Board has also discussed various measure for solid waste management and removal of garbage in a scientific and environment friendly manner, functioning of service providers, management of Advance Registration Quota and On-Spot Registration and various other aspects relating to the Yatra.
In the context of the recent developments in the Valley the SASB hoped that sustained normalcy shall soon be restored. Members of the Board have again directed CEO to reiterate and caution all potential pilgrims to duly take into account the harsh climatic and terrain conditions in the high altitude region of the Yatra area and prepare themselves fully before embarking on the Yatra. (AGENCIES)
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