SRINAGAR: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Dr Mandeep Kumar on Wednesday said that over three lakh pilgrims have so far registered for the longest-ever Amarnath yatra that would last for 62-days.
Addressing a press conference Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari said that Shrine Board and the UT administration are fully ready to welcome Yatris from July 1 onwards. “This year’s pilgrimage will last for 62 days and will be the longest ever so far,” Bhandari said, adding that so far 3,0,4000 pilgrims have registered with the board through various modes of registration available.
“The figure is 10 per cent more than the last year,” he said.
He said that Yatris upto the age of 70 years can perform the pilgrimage. “Yatra can be performed from two routes—Baltal which involves 14.5 km trekking and from Chandanwari where from Yatris have to trek 32 km upto the cave shrine,” the CEO SASB said.
He said that Yatri’s will perform the darshan of ice-lingam at the height of 13000 feet. “This year, yatra tracks on both the routes have been widened and hand railings have been installed. “
With the help of grid supply, Baltal track has been illuminated and with the supply from generator set, Chandanwari track has been illuminated too so that if any pilgrims get stuck during the night, he/she can walk smoothly,” he said, as per KNO.
The CEO said that 440 beds have been kept at both base camps to deal with the pilgrims who suffer from High Altitude sickness. “Internet and calling facilities have been ensured for pilgrims en route to cave shrine from both tracks,” he said, adding that 4000 sanitary workers have been employed to collect trash and dispose of the same at base camps.
At various vulnerable points, helmets have been made available for the pilgrims so that they can protect themselves from shooting stones and landslides during heavy rains, the CEO said, adding that mountain rescue teams have been deployed en route cave shrine for quick evacuation.
He said that no pilgrim will be allowed to stay at the cave shrine for a night stay. “No pilgrim will be allowed to proceed for the pilgrimage without RFID chips,” the CEO said, adding that a tent facility to accommodate 70,000 pilgrims have been put in place.
