1.50 lakh registered devotees so far for Amarnath yatra

The Amarnath pilgrimage will commence on July 2 and conclude on August 19

As many as 1.50 lakh devotees have registered so far for the annual 59-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, scheduled to begin next month.

"Till date, 1.50 lakh yatris have registered their names for the Amarnath pilgrimage which would commence on July 2 and conclude on August 19," an official spokesperson said.

A meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon -- attended by senior civil, Army, paramilitary and police officers - was convened to review the arrangements being made for ensuing Yatra here last evening, the spokesperson said.

He said 7,500 yatris would be allowed for yatra every day.

It was informed during the meeting that adequate arrangements have been made for the pilgrims along the twin tracks - 45 km traditional Pahalgam-cave route in Anantnag district and shorter 16-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, the spokesperson said.

He said Health department has established 25 medical camps on various destinations in the Pahalgam and Baltal routes for providing medical facilities besides ambulance services.

Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution department has made elaborate arrangements for providing adequate quantity of ration, sugar, LPG and Kerosene while Power Development department has made arrangements for uninterrupted power supply up to the Chandanwari base camp along Pahalgam route, the spokesperson said, adding, generator system would be installed at every destination up to the cave.

The services of 30,000 horses would be arranged to facilitate the yatris during the yatra to the 3,880 metre high cave shrine, he said.

He said Forest department would arrange 12,000 quintals of firewood on various destination via Pahalgam and Baltal routes.