SRINAGAR: The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Thursday with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagging off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu amid unprecedented security arrangements.
The Lieutenant Governor offered special prayers at the base camp before inaugurating the pilgrimage. He was joined by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, senior civil and police officials, legislators and representatives of religious organisations.
The first convoy, comprising more than 5,000 pilgrims travelling in escorted vehicles, left for the twin base camps of Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal under a multi-tier security cover. Devotees chanted religious slogans as the convoy departed from Jammu.
The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine will formally begin on Friday, July 3, through the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28.
Authorities have put in place elaborate security arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir, including multi-layer deployment of security personnel, technology-driven surveillance, area domination exercises and strict traffic management measures along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims.
Traffic restrictions have come into effect on designated stretches of the highway from July 2 and will remain in force until the conclusion of the pilgrimage. Daily traffic advisories and sector-wise cut-off timings will regulate the movement of vehicles during the yatra period.
Officials said more than 3.90 lakh devotees have registered for this year’s pilgrimage, while on-the-spot registration facilities have also been made available in Jammu for eligible pilgrims.
The Jammu region has been placed under an extensive security grid in view of the annual pilgrimage, with authorities maintaining that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a safe, smooth and hassle-free yatra for devotees travelling to the holy cave shrine.
