M A I N   N E W S

Pilgrims’ progress on, over 1 lakh visit Amarnath shrine
Tribune News Service

The ninth batch of Amarnath pilgrims leaves from Pahalgam on Sunday. Photo: Amin War

Srinagar, July 6
With 18,994 people visiting the Amarnath cave today, the number of pilgrims who have paid obeisance at the holy shrine since the pilgrimage started on June 28 has touched 1,12143.

An official spokesperson said weather conditions improved significantly and those travelling from Baltal and Chandanwari and those who had to stay at intermediate camps yesterday were able to pay obeisance at the holy cave today.

Meanwhile, Raman Bhalla, Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture and Youth Services and Sports, visited Nunwan base camp, Pahalgam, today and took stock of the facilities being made available to pilgrims. He was informed that check points had been established en route to the cave to avoid untoward incidents due to overcrowding and no unregistered yatris were being allowed to proceed to the holy cave. He was also informed that foolproof arrangements were in place to inform yatris about the weather conditions.

The annual yatra started on June 28 via the short route of 14 km from Baltal base camp in Sonamarg area on the Srinagar-Leh axis. But the movement of pilgrims was not allowed on the first four days via the 48-km traditional route from Pahalgam due to the accumulated snow on the track between Chandanwari and the holy cave.

Besides the two trekking routes, helicopter services are provided on Pahalgam and Baltal axes.

The Pahalgam-Panjtarni helicopter services are being provided by Himalayan Heli Services Ltd, while the helicopter services from Neelgrath near Baltal base camp to Panjtarni are being provided by Global Vectra Heli Corp Ltd and Pawan Hans Ltd.

The two services were inaugurated by Governor NN Vohra, also Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on June 28.