Srinagar, July 10: The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, a significant religious pilgrimage worldwide, has received accolades for its successful implementation and enhanced facilities.
Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), a comprehensive range of measures have been undertaken to ensure the safety and convenience of the pilgrims.
Spanning a duration of sixty-two days from July 1 to August 31, the Amarnath Yatra witnesses millions of devotees paying their obeisance to the Ice Shiva Lingam in the holy Amarnath Cave located in Pahalgam. The pilgrimage can be accessed through the twin axis of Nunwan and Baltal, as well as through the helipad service.
The SASB, entrusted with the entire management of the Amarnath Yatra, has made substantial efforts to provide necessary facilities, including transportation, accommodation, and food at the base camps. To ensure the safety of the pilgrims, a tight security grid has been established, encompassing measures such as the deployment of Fire & Emergency services, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other allied agencies. Additionally, animal service providers, laborers, and communication service providers have been coordinated to maintain an efficient and secure environment.
At the Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) located at HMT, Srinagar, officers from various departments closely monitor the yatra round-the-clock. This central hub empowers the administration by providing real-time information, enabling prompt decision-making. Furthermore, the introduction of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, consisting of tags and readers, aids in effective crowd control management, traceability, and coordination among stakeholders. RFID cards have been issued to officers, officials, and service providers, while pilgrims are required to register with the board and obtain RFID cards before embarking on the sacred journey.
The SASB has established counters at strategic locations such as the Baltal Base Camp, Pantha Chowk, Srinagar International Airport, Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam, and various locations in Jammu, ensuring convenient access for pilgrims. Moreover, the SASB offers online booking services for Pooja Hawan, Prasad, and a silver coin of Shri Amarnath Ji.
Focusing on the development of health infrastructure for the Amarnath Yatris, LG Manoj Sinha inaugurated 100-bed hospitals at Baltal, Ganderbal, and Chandanwari, Anantnag, on June 28. These state-of-the-art facilities will provide round-the-clock healthcare services to the pilgrims and those engaged in yatra management, ensuring their well-being throughout the pilgrimage.
A notable addition to this year’s arrangements is the illumination of the twin routes leading to the Amarnath Cave. This innovative feature enhances the spiritual experience of devotees who traverse the terrain during evening hours, creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere at the camps. The illuminated tracks draw a mesmerizing path that captivates the yatries, adding to their joyous celebration with religious songs echoing throughout the mountains.
Expressing his appreciation, LG Manoj Sinha acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the entire team who worked tirelessly in the challenging high-altitude environment to make the lighting tracks possible, ensuring convenience for the yatris. The Power Development Department deployed over 90 employees, including experts, to ensure uninterrupted power supply and create a dazzling ambiance across both the Nunwan and Baltal axes of the Amarnath Yatra.
To facilitate accommodation at the base camps, the district administration in Ganderbal, along with the army, set up 2514 tents and shops along the Baltal axis, while 3185 tents and shops were installed along the Pahalgam axis. Scaling the rugged terrain to the Amarnath Cave has been made possible by the labor department, which hired over 12,000 ponies, as well as approximately 34,000 pithoos, palkis, and poniwallas, who serve as service providers for the annual Amarnath Yatra.
The commendable arrangements and convenience measures implemented by the LG Administration for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra have garnered appreciation from pilgrims and observers alike. Testimonies from yatries highlight the seamless and successful nature of the pilgrimage, solidifying its status as a revered festivity.
Meanwhile, the Amarnath Yatra draws devotees from around the world. A group of 33 Amarnath pilgrims from Nepal recently visited the Holy Amarnath Cave for darshan and were warmly welcomed by the District Development Council (DDC) Kathua Chairman, Col Mahan Singh. Additionally, a couple from Noida, Delhi, expressed amazement at the arrangements, praising the administration for its efforts in maintaining proper sanitation, food, security, and accommodation.
In a remarkable feat, a pilgrim from Madhya Pradesh embarked on his journey by bicycle on May 25, reaching the Shadipora Transit Camp on July 5. The Camp Director extended a warm welcome to the pilgrim, highlighting the hospitality and support provided throughout the yatra.
The successful implementation of the Amarnath Yatra, coupled with the measures to enhance the pilgrimage experience, has established this year’s journey as a testament to the commitment and dedication of all those involved. The collective efforts of the administration, security personnel, and service providers have contributed to a memorable and spiritually enriching pilgrimage for the devotees.
