Srinagar/Jammu: Due to the improvement in infrastructure and allied services by government, Shri Amarnathji Yatra registered over 3 lakh record-breaking pilgrims who visited Holy Cave just within twenty-one days, which is comparatively much higher than the previous year’s number at the same time.
With the addition of 13,797 yatris who performed darshans today the cumulative total stands now at 3,07,354.
The figures are testimony to the fact that the government has developed physical infrastructure of electricity, health, roads, sanitation, and treks besides ensuring transportation services from road transport, helipad service, and pony services.
Almost thirty government departments have been looped in to ensure seamless facilities to make yatris feel at home.
Officials said that this year the government made twin axis-Pahalgam and Baltal glow with lights from base camps to Holy Cave which helped to carry on the yatra during evening hours.
The construction of two State-of-Art 100-beded hospitals for the treatment of yatris and all the associated people is another epitome of the high level of seriousness shown by the government for boasting allied infrastructure. Besides, other existing health infrastructure, every camp is manned by expert health teams who on a daily basis examine hundreds of yatries providing them with medicine and advice, said the officials.
Since the influx of yatris is swelling with every passing day, the government made sure that transportation facilities be provided to yatries from Jammu to base camps in Kashmir.
Besides, the helipad service is also available to the yatris who are willing to take this opportunity & facility, said the officials.
To keep a strict vigil on the nitty-gritty of yatra for smooth and peaceful conduct, the government established Integrated Command & Control Centre which is integrated with RFID. This data-based science helps in effective crowd control management, traceability, avoidance of traffic jams, and management besides coordination among all stakeholders on a real-time basis, the officials added.
Meanwhile, another batch of more than 4,600 Amarnath pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on Thursday morning amid tight security.
As many as 2.90 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the Amarnath shrine since the annual pilgrimage began on July 1.
A total of 4,675 pilgrims left in a convoy of 169 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir to undertake the onward journey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva.
Officials said 2,850 pilgrims, headed for Pahalgam, left in a convoy of 106 vehicles while another convoy of 63 vehicles carrying 1,825 pilgrims left for the Baltal base camp at 3.30 am and 3.45 am, respectively.
The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1.
The Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 31.
