Bettering facilities main cause of increased rush: Govt
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 21: Shri Amarnathji Yatra registered over three lakh record breaking number of pilgrims who visited holy cave just within 21 days which is comparatively much higher than the previous year’s number at the same time.
Officials said braving the inclement weather and intermittent rains during the day in the yatra area 13,797 performed darshan today and with this the cumulative total stands now at 3,07,354. They claimed the rising number of pilgrims is a result of increasing facilities by the Government.
The officials said among 13,797 pilgrims who performed darshan of naturally formed Ice Shiv Lingam in holy cave included 10,088 male, 3381 female, 226, children, 98 Sadhus and four Sadhvis.
Officials said that the weather remained overcast with clouds and it rained in yatra area as well as holy cave but the yatra proceeded without disruption.
Reports said that 4199 pilgrims were camping at Nunwan-Pahalgam base camp during last night, while 6739 reported at Chandanwari during the day and 5269 pilgrims had a night halt at Panchtarni. Officials said 2943 pilgrims were staying at Sheshnag during last night.
They said the chopper services plied normally during the day to ferry pilgrims to and fro.
One pilgrim died of heart attack near holy cave area today. He has been identified as Fateh Lal, 68 of Rajasthan. With this, 31 pilgrims have lost their lives during the ongoing yatra.
Meanwhile, there is no let up in pilgrims rush to holy cave as 19th batch of 4675 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning for twin base camps of Nunwan -Pahalgam and Baltal in Kashmir valley under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 169 vehicles.
Among them, 2850 preferred longest and traditional Nunwan -Pahalgam track while 1825 opted for shortest Baltal route.
The officials said the glaring figures of yatra this year are testimony to the fact that Government has developed physical infrastructure of electricity, health, roads, sanitation and treks besides ensured transportation services from road transport, helipad service and Pony services.
Almost 30 Government departments have been looped in to ensure seamless facilities to makes yatris feel at home.
The enhanced facilities from accommodation, food, water health care, Pony service generated positive response from devotees who undertook yatra and encouraged others to embark on Amarnath pilgrimage, this year.
To make Amarnath pilgrimage a memorable life time experience for devotees, the potential of available resources were capitalized to the brim which ensure stress-free and tireless yatra, they said.
The officials said this year Government made twin axis- Pahalgam and Baltal to glow with lights from base camps to holy cave which helped to carry-on yatra during evening hours also.
The construction of two State-of-Art 100-beded hospitals for the treatment of yatris and all the associated people is another epitome of high level seriousness shown by the Government for boasting allied infrastructure. Besides, other existing health infrastructure, every camp is manned by the expert health teams who on daily basis examine hundreds of yatris providing them medicine and advice.
Since the influx of yatris is swelling with every passing day, Government made it sure that transportation facilities be provided to yatris from Jammu to base camps in Kashmir.
Besides, the helipad service is also available to the yatris who are willing to take this opportunity & facility.
To keep strict vigil on the nitty gritty of yatra for smooth and peaceful conduct, the Government established Integrated Command & Control Centre which is integrated with RFID. This data based science helps in effective crowd control management, traceability, avoidance of traffic jams and management besides coordination among all stake holders on a real time basis.
As this yatra surpassed three lakh mark in a short span of time, the Government takes pride for serving yatris with every available resource putting them to optimum utilization, officials said.
They said yatris who paid obeisance at holy cave were overwhelmed by the organized facilities and management of yatra. Every single soul who got opportunity to pay obeisance at cave shrine expressed gratitude to administration, security agencies, service providers and local population who embraced them with open arms. The local people serve yatris Kashmiri Kehwa and warm water to help them to cope up with cold temperatures.
Officials said Amarnathji Yatra has become centre of attraction for citizens of nation and also to foreign citizens this year.
Two California, USA citizen, a Ukrainian women, a group of 35 Nepali citizens and a group of 30 citizens from Malaysia were among the pilgrims who paid obeisance at holy cave so far.
These foreign religious tourists acknowledged the organized arrangements and facilities created by Government which made them happy to feel the spiritual essence of pilgrims.
They said the Divisional News Room working under the supervision of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and the Department of Information & Public Relations are working in tandum with each other to disseminate information about the available facilities and the satisfaction of pilgrims after experiencing the support from stakeholders.
Meanwhile three persons have been arrested for allegedly being involved in a scuffle at the Sheshnag transit camp of the Amarnath Yatra last week which led to minor injuries to a few pilgrims and ponywallas, police have said.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said some people have uploaded a misleading and baseless video on social media claiming stones were thrown at pilgrims.
“Taking cognisance of the matter, an FIR has been registered,” he said.
Sheshnag is situated on the Pahalgam axis of the Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
“On July 15 at Sheshnag, there was a scuffle among Ponywallas which resulted in minor injuries to Ponywallas and a few pilgrims. The situation was immediately brought under control,” the ADGP said on Twitter.
He said a case has been registered at Pahalgam Police Station and three accused have been arrested.
The public is advised not to pay any heed to rumours. Jammu and Kashmir Police has and will always be committed to providing safety and security of the pilgrims and ensuring a peaceful yatra, Kumar added.
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