160000 perform darshan in holy cave

Unabated rush of pilgrims continues, Governor reviews arrangements

Over 1,60,000 perform darshan in holy cave

Undeterred by inclement weather on the holy cave track and tough terrain enroute, the rush of Amarnath pilgrims is increasing day by day with 25,000 pilgrims performing darshan in the cave shrine today. According to a yatra officer 25,940 pilgrims left for darshan of ice Shivlingam in holy cave today. Out of them 14,7,77 yatris left from traditional Nunwan -Pahalgam track while 11,163 left via shortest Baltal track. Besides seventh batch of 3,267 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for their onwards sojourn early this morning under tight security arrangements.

Comprising 2177 males, 791 females, 90 children and 209 Sadhus, these yatris left in a cavalcade of 104 vehicles and they had reached to their respective destinations till last reports came in.

Till yesterday 1,37, 129 pilgrims had performed darshan in holy cave and this number touched 1,62,129 today.

The official spokesman said that the yatra was proceeding smoothly and the authorities also improved arrangements for pilgrims enroute to holy cave in view of increasing rush and the problems faced by the stranded yatris during past few days.

He said the weather to holy cave from both Pahalgam and Baltal tracks was pleasant. There was unprecedented rush and it was increasing day by day as thousands of yatris are daily reaching Pahalgam and Baltal base camps for their onwards sojourn, he added.

He said such a heavy rush has never been witnessed by him before though he has been associated with yatra for last ten years. The main reason for increasing rush is the reports of fully visible Ice Shivlingam and improvement in Valley situation, he added.

Meanwhile, concerned about the difficulties faced by the pilgrims and the general public, particularly with regard to extra heavy traffic on the National Highway, the Governor, N N Vohra who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, (SASB) convened a high level meeting in Summer Capital today. The meeting among others was attended by Director General Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary Home, B R Sharma and Chief Executive Officer, of the Board R K Goyal.

During the meeting it was decided that state police will fully strengthen the Access Control Barriers and check posts at all the camps to ensure smooth and convenient movement of the yatra in close coordination with Shrine Board officials.

The meeting also decided that CEO will review weather situation around 4 am every morning before issuing directions regarding camp wise movements of the yatra to the holy cave and back to the base camps. A close watch will also be kept on emerging weather pattern and the CEO will, for the convenience of the yatris, issue daily weather bulletins based on the Met Department reports.

The Governor issued instructions to all the agencies involved in the overall management and conduct of the pilgrimage to ensure close and effective coordination in the interest of the safety and security of the yatris, particularly with regard to the forward movement of the yatris to the base camps and onwards to the holy shrine.

At Jammu a high level official meeting was convened by Divisional Commissioner, Dr Pawan Kotwal, at Yatri Niwas today to review the arrangements for the Amarnath pilgrims.

The meeting, while taking stock of the situation issued instructions to concerned agencies to ensure proper electricity, water, accommodation and other facilities to pilgrims.

Dr Kotwal, who made a round of the Yatri Niwas, also interacted with the yatris there and enquired about the arrangements. Later talking to Excelsior he said that the meeting decided how to tackle the situation in view of the Metrological Department’s forecast that there will be thundershowers on July 7, 8 and 9 in Kashmir Division.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Municipal Commissioner, Jammu, Director Tourism and other officers involved with yatra arrangements.