Amarnath Yatra: Security forces start taking positions

With the annual Amarnath Yatra set to commence from July 2, security forces including Army, have started taking positions along the routes to the holy cave shrine located in the mountains of South Kashmir to ensure peaceful 59-day pilgrimage.
The holy cave, situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres, has two routes -- 16-km track via Baltal and 45-km traditional route via Pahalgam.
"Army, CRPF and the state police have started arriving at the Baltal Camp," Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) Jitendra Kumar Singh said.
He was briefing Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra here after returning from the first visit to Amarnath to oversee preparations along with General Manager (works) R K Pandita, an official spokesman said today.

The spokesman said the Governor, who is also chairman of the SASB, reviewed the latest position regarding all issues related to the Baltal-holy cave axis, ongoing work to repair the Baltal-holy cave track, snow clearance at Holy Cave and Panjtarni, repair of damaged railings, particularly in the Railpathri-Brarimarg-Kali Mata track.
About the ongoing work on the tracks which is being done by the various Government agencies, Singh said the State Public Works Department has commenced work on upgradation of Rangamorh-Baltal-Domel and Neelgrath-Baltal roads and repairs of the track from Domel onwards.

The Pahalgam Development Authority has taken up the snow clearance work on the track from Holy Cave to Panjtarni, he said.

He also reported the steps being taken by the Power Development and Public Health Engineering Departments for restoring electricity and water supply at the Baltal Base Camp, the spokesman said adding toilets and baths are being installed both inside and outside the Baltal Base Camp.
Vohra directed Singh and Pandita to undertake visits to Sheshnag and Panjtarni Yatra Camps by June 15 and brief him about the progress at a review meeting next day, the spokesman said.